Nick Lane – Life as we know it is chemically inevitable

Overview

Nick Lane explores the chemical inevitability of life, proposing that early life emerged from the spontaneous chemistry of hydrothermal vents. He delves into why eukaryotic cells are unique, the evolutionary significance of sex, and the constraints shaping life on Earth and potentially other planets. His theory suggests that while simple life may be abundant across the universe, complex life faces significant bottlenecks.

Notable Quotes

- The Earth is a giant battery that produces little living cells, mini batteries. It's a rather beautiful idea. — Nick Lane, on the continuity between Earth's geochemistry and cellular life.

- Evolution is cleverer than you are. — Nick Lane, referencing Orgel's second rule to highlight the constraints and ingenuity of evolutionary processes.

- There's no greater genetic health hazard in the population than fertile old men. — Nick Lane, on the accumulation of mutations in sperm due to rapid replication.

🌍 The Chemical Origins of Life

- Lane explains how early life forms were continuous with Earth's geochemistry, particularly in hydrothermal vents.

- These vents created cell-like structures with proton gradients, enabling the fixation of CO2 and hydrogen to form organic molecules.

- The process mirrors modern cellular respiration, suggesting a deep continuity between Earth's chemistry and biological systems.

- Lane emphasizes the deterministic nature of this chemistry, arguing that life could emerge similarly on other wet, rocky planets.

🧬 The Singular Event of Eukaryotic Evolution

- Eukaryotic cells, which arose only once in Earth's history, are the foundation of complex life.

- Lane attributes their uniqueness to the acquisition of mitochondria via endosymbiosis, which provided the energy needed for larger genomes and cellular complexity.

- He discusses why bacteria and archaea, despite their genetic diversity, never evolved into complex multicellular organisms, citing constraints like genome size and energy availability.

🔋 Proton Gradients and Universal Biochemistry

- Lane highlights the universal role of proton gradients in powering life, likening the voltage across cellular membranes to a bolt of lightning.

- He connects this phenomenon to the early Earth's hydrothermal vents, where similar gradients drove the synthesis of life's building blocks.

- This shared biochemical foundation suggests that life elsewhere in the universe might follow similar principles.

⚥ The Evolutionary Logic of Sex and Two Genders

- Lane explains why sex evolved: to systematically pool genetic resources and maintain genome quality.

- He links the existence of two sexes to mitochondrial inheritance, where only one parent passes on mitochondria to avoid genetic degradation.

- Differences between eggs and sperm, such as replication rates and mutation accumulation, stem from these evolutionary constraints.

🧪 Testing the Theory and Future Exploration

- Lane advocates for experiments replicating early Earth conditions to test the plausibility of his theory.

- He emphasizes the importance of exploring hydrothermal systems on moons like Enceladus to search for signs of life.

- Lane also speculates on the role of mitochondria in consciousness, suggesting that their electromagnetic fields might influence feelings and anesthetic effects.