Tag: Origin of life

Scientists estimate that life first emerged from chemical building blocks on early Earth more than 3.5 billion years ago. Understanding where did nutrients come from is a story of planetary geology, ancient microbes, and the evolution of life itself.

Every living organism relies on protein for its fundamental biological functions, with a single bacterial cell containing millions of these complex macromolecules. The question of where protein is native to requires a journey from the very beginnings of life itself, exploring its origins not in a single location, but as an intrinsic part of all cellular processes and life forms.

Over 10,000 different proteins are at work inside every cell, performing a vast range of tasks to sustain life. Yet, this begs a fundamental question: could we exist without proteins, or are they an absolute requirement for all known life? This article delves into why these biomolecules are so essential and the implications of a world without them.

The word "protein" comes from the Greek *proteios*, meaning "of prime importance," a term coined in 1838 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. While this refers to its importance in nutrition, the actual first source of protein on Earth is a matter of biochemistry and evolutionary history, tracing back to the planet's most primitive origins.