• GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE OF EARTH’S HISTORY

• THEORIES ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF LIFE

• PANSPERMIA

• ABIOGENESIS

• THE FOUR THEORIES/HYPOTHESIS MODELS OF ABIOGENESIS

Submitted to:
Ms. Lynette Bustos

Submitted By:

Group 2

Aicel Anne T. Germinal

Gwyneth Althea S. De Guzman

Rania Marie M. Santos

Mariane P. Perez

Jayann D. Bautista

Gian Andrae V. Edu

Aethan C. Reyes

John Benedict Untalan

Juan Miguel J. Guzman.

Lance Brian B. Ascan

This written report defines about the Geologic Time Scale of Earth’s History, theories about
the origin of life, panspermia, abiogenesis , and the four theories of abiogenesis.

Geologic time scale or Geological time scale (GTS)

Geological Time Scale or GTS Is a representation of time based on the rock record of Earth.
In simple terms this is representation of time based on the rock record of Earth. It is used
primarily by Earth scientists (including geologists, paleontologists, geophysicists,
geochemists, and paleoclimatologists) to describe the timing and relationships of events in
geologic history.

It is a system of chronological dating that uses chronostratigraphy (the process of relating

strata to time) and geochronology (a scientific branch of geology that aims to determine the
age of rocks). In simple terms this is representation of time based on the rock record of
Earth. It is used primarily by Earth scientists (including geologists, paleontologists,
geophysicists, geochemists, and paleoclimatologists) to describe the timing and
relationships of events in geologic history.

There are many theories about the origin of life on Earth, including: Chemical theory Also
known as themodern theory or primary abiogenesis, this theory suggests that non-living
materials could have given rise to life on early Earth.

Oparin-Haldane theory:

- This theory suggests that life originated from non-living organic molecules like RNA
and proteins.

Deep-sea vent theory:

- This theory suggests that life began in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where
scorching gases and liquids released small molecules like hydrogen and minerals.
Electric spark theory:

- This theory suggests that life began when lightning struck Earth, producing
biomolecules from the energy of the lightning flashes.

What is the importance of GTS?

It helps scientists understand earth’s history, including the evolution of life, climate
change, and tectonic activity. It also helps scientists understand how earth moves and
functions. And it is used to illustrate the order in which events on earth have happened. The
geologic time scale was developed after the scientists' observed changes in the fossils
going from oldest to youngest sedimentary rocks.

There are theories about the origin of life because it’s a scientific mystery that can’t be
directly observed. Scientists use math, fossil evidence, and experiments to develop
theories about how life began on earth.

Principle of GTS

- The geologic time scale is a way of representing deep time based on events that
have occurred throughout Earth's history, a time span of about 4.54 ± 0.05 Ga (4.54
billion years). It chronologically organises strata, and subsequently time, by
observing fundamental changes in stratigraphy that correspond to major geological
or paleontological events.

Division of GTS

- The geologic time scale is divided into chronostratigraphic units and their
corresponding geochronologic units.

- An eon is the largest geochronologic time unit and is equivalent to a

chronostratigraphic eonothem. There are four formally defined eons: the Hadean,
Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic
 - An era is the second largest geochronologic time unit and is equivalent to a
chronostratigraphic erathem. There are ten defined eras: the Eoarchean,
Paleoarchean, Mesoarchean, Neoarchean, Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic,
Neoproterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic, with none from the Hadean
eon.

- A period is equivalent to a chronostratigraphic system. There are 22 defined periods,

with the current being the Quaternary period. As an exception two subperiods are
used for the Carboniferous Period.

- An epoch is the second smallest geochronologic unit. It is equivalent to a

chronostratigraphic series. There are 37 defined epochs and one informal one.

- An age is the smallest hierarchical geochronologic unit. It is equivalent to a

chronostratigraphic stage. There are 96 formal and five informal ages. The current
age is the Meghalayan.

- A chron is a non-hierarchical formal geochronology unit of unspecified rank and is

equivalent to a chronostratigraphic chronozone. The aim of this report is to broad us
about GTS, theories about the origin of life, panspermia, abiogenesis, and the four
theories of it.

Panspermia is a hypothesis about the origin of life that suggests life, or the essential
building blocks of life, could have originated elsewhere in the universe and been
transported to Earth, or other planets, via comets, asteroids, or cosmic dust. This idea
proposes that life may not have originated on Earth but rather elsewhere in the cosmos,
potentially as a result of natural processes or even intentional seeding by an advanced
civilization.
The panspermia theory is the idea that life exists throughout the universe and is spread
between planets by space dust, asteroids, comets, and other celestial bodies. The word
"panspermia" comes from the Greek words pan, meaning "all", and sperma, meaning
"seed".

The panspermia theory has been modified and revived over time, and includes the
following concepts:

Directed panspermia

- The idea that life can be spread by spacecraft that are unintentionally contaminated
by microorganisms

Soft panspermia

- The idea that the building blocks of life, such as amino acids and sugars, are
produced in space, and then spread to planets by comets and meteorites

Cometary panspermia

- The idea that life on Earth originated from comets, rather than from a nutrient-rich
pocket of the ocean

There are also two main forms of panspermia:

- Lithopanspermia: This suggests that life, or its precursors, could have been ejected
from one planet or moon due to catastrophic events (such as asteroid impacts) and
subsequently traveled through space to reach another planet or moon. This could
involve microscopic organisms or simple organic molecules.

- Direct panspermia: This is the more controversial idea that life was intentionally
spread by an advanced civilization, potentially for the purpose of seeding life on
other worlds.
Abiogenesis is the natural process by which life arises from non-living matter, such as
simple organic compounds. The prevailing scientific hypothesis is that the transition from
non-living to living entities on Earth was not a single event, but a process of increasing
complexity involving the formation of a habitable planet, the prebiotic synthesis of organic
molecules, molecular self-replication, self-assembly, autocatalysis, and the emergence of
cell membranes.

Abiogenesis, the origin of life from non-living matter, is a complex process scientists
believe unfolded over billions of years on early Earth. The early atmosphere, rich in gases
like methane and ammonia, provided the raw materials.

Energy sources such as lightning, volcanic activity, and ultraviolet radiation drove the
formation of simple organic molecules, like amino acids and nucleotides

These building blocks then self-assembled into more complex structures, including
proteins and nucleic acids. A pivotal moment was the emergence of self-replicating
molecules, possibly RNA, capable of storing and transmitting genetic information.
Eventually, these molecules became enclosed in membranes, forming the first primitive
cells, far simpler than those found in life today.

While the precise mechanisms remain under investigation, experimental evidence

supports the plausibility of abiogenesis, a cornerstone of evolutionary biology.

The four most popular theories of abiogenesis

• Spontaneous Generation

- Is a superseded scientific theory that held the living creatures could arise from non-
living matter and that such processes were commonplace and regular. It was
hypothesized that certain forms, such as fleas, could arise inanimate matter such
as dust.
• Panspermia

- Is the concept that life may have originated elsewhere in the universe and reached
earth through space travel, potentially by microorganisms or even advanced
extraterrestrial beings. And argues that life is originated in space in spatial ices, and
continuously distributed to the planets by comets and meteorites.

• Electric spark theory

- A theory that lightning strikes on early Earth created the biomolecules that formed
life. This theory is based on the miller-urey experiment, which demonstrated that
lightning could create amino acids and sugars from an atmosphere.

• Deep sea vent theory

- Hydrothermal vent formed on the ocean floor when sea water circulates through hot
volcanic rocks, often located where new oceanic crust is being formed. Vents also
occur on submarine volcanoes.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_time_scale

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/natural-selection/origins-of-life-on-
earth/a/hypotheses-about-the-origins-of-
life#:~:text=Many%20scientists%20favor%20the%20RNA,meteorites%20and%20other%2
0celestial%20objects

https://www.newscientist.com/definition/panspermia/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primordial_soup

https://www.thoughtco.com/early-life-theory-of-hydrothermal-vents-1224529

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenesis

https://www.britannica.com/science/abiogenesis

https://www.sciencing.com/abiogenesis-definition-theory-evidence-examples-13719058/