Jagged Environment
Progenesis - the simple to the complex
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Jagged EnvironmentProgenesis - the simple to the complex |
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Mass extinctions |
Bacteria bear the same relation to complex animal life that algae do to plants. They are both the one-cell, self-replicating version and contrast the fuller, sexually-reproductive life. The vast profusion of bacteria found in the deeper Earth demonstrates that, at least at the one-cell level, life achieves itself, quite naturally, in clay-like environments. Such formation (progenesis) of life in small clay compartments mimics the larger life-forms, since a given clay-mass is a self-replicating system, like tissue. Modification of cell-surfaces controls the rate and extent of replication. The different nature of different clay compartments will cause differing evolution of each different replicating, contained cell-mass. Interaction (exchange of key molecules) between masses then resembles that between the organs in a living animal, carried by a primitive (water-based) blood, which percolates through the clay between them. This is a simple animal, in which the co-operative interactions of discrete sets of contained cells mutually safeguards the function of the many. In ultimatum, having moved beyond clay into the entirely organic form, this is living as we now acknowledge it. This is the reason for the generation of higher animals (and of plants), that contained in cellular societies each cell realises far greater protection and advantage for itself, than it would in vulnerable isolation (“co-operative advantage”). Still greater stability arises for the whole, the mass (“co-operative matrix”), when groups of cells are compartmentalised to perform specific tasks; the accomplishments of each group being then shared in the communication of the “blood”. This is a living animal or plant, and is the reason for the development (evolution) of such higher life-forms; simple cell arrangements which do not do this simply undergo rapid turnover and death. It is all a matter of average lifetime - even at the molecular level. Molecules which are not compartmentalised undergo more rapid reaction, or dissolution and removal, than those which are. Muds and clays are obvious compartments, but in water environments immiscible (“oil”) molecules would form the most effective barriers, sticking around the template of a clay particle, acting as a primitive membrane. Indeed, clay-particles are of the micron dimensions of the living cells known to us in the higher phase of evolution. Occurring within a larger clay-mass a collection of interacting, such primitive cells would result. The driving/controlling forces for their interactions are the chemical gradients and relative affinities of molecules for water or oil. As evolved to the level of bacterial cells, this is precisely what is found in the suffusion of bacteria (on a scale of billions of tons of carbon) in the solid structures of the deeper Earth. Life on Earth occurred because the Earth gave it no choice. Clays have previously been speculated upon as templates, as surfaces upon which some basic molecules of life might have been assembled. While this approaches more closely the three-dimensional problem of life by achieving two of these dimensions, and was better than trying to achieve 3-D order from complete chaos - from a liquid soup- no convincing explanation has ever been offered of how the 3-D from the 2-D could actually have been achieved, and certainly of nothing resembling a cell. By recognising both the pivotal role of entire clay particles as 3-D frameworks (rather than just surfaces), and that they were produced concurrently, by the same act, with hydrocarbons - the basis of organic life - which by coating them provided primitive membranes, principally the problem is solved. The hydrocarbon membranes both coat and internalise the clay-cells. The energy source for the creation of these primitive clay-cells is the heat of the chemical reactions which create simultaneously both the template (clay) and hydrocarbon (membrane) materials. The essential elements, including water - the chemical messenger - are by the nature of the process which created them all in one place. It is vital to recognise the necessity for initial compartmentalisation to occur, dividing aqueous regions, before anything approaching Life could happen. This simplifies matters greatly. Creation is the initial act of coalescence of the substance of the Earth, and of other astral bodies, setting the gradients to drive change - an act of predetermination. Once sufficient organic and clay material had been formed, then Evolution was forced to set in. Firstly at the level of molecules compartmentalised in clay particles, in contrast with those unprotected and dispersing in fluid water, then at the level of primitive clay-cells with hydrocarbon membranes, finally emerging into the organic realm, and arriving at the sophistication of bacteria. An entire lineage, arising via the advantage of symbiosis and co-operativity: the greater strength of the collective over the individual. Copyright © 2001 Chris James Last updated 12 March, 2005 |
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