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ASTR/GEOL-2040: Search for life in the Universe, Lecture 2

Join Dr. Axel Brandenburg in Lecture 2 of ASTR/GEOL-2040 as we delve into astrobiology, discussing the potential existence of microbial life in unimaginable places. Explore concepts such as independent genesis and the transition to life being spontaneous. Learn about the properties of life and Darwinian evolution, including natural selection and self-replication. Discover why life elsewhere might be different and the general properties to look for. Save important dates for quizzes and tests. Attend office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays for further insight. Don't miss out on this fascinating journey to find life in the Universe!

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ASTR/GEOL-2040: Search for life in the Universe, Lecture 2

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  1. ASTR/GEOL-2040: Search for life in the Universe, Lecture 2 Axel Brandenburg (Office hours: Mondays 2:30 – 3:30 in X590 and Wednesdays 11-12 in D230)

  2. Important dates • Wednesday, Sep 20  Q1 • Wednesday, Oct 11  Fiske • Friday, Oct 13  MT • Monday, Nov 13  Fiske • Wednesday, Nov 15  Q2

  3. Sample HW question • Also possible in Q, MT, or Final

  4. Sample HW question • Often just  photoautotroph

  5. Sample finals question • Often just  photoautotroph

  6. Sample HW question • Often just  photoautotroph

  7. Sample HW question 32  16 • Often just  photoautotroph 32  16  8 32  16  8  4 32  16  8  4  2

  8. Sample HW question • Often just  photoautotroph

  9. Astrobiology nowadays • microbial life should exist elsewhere • we just have to find examples • it could be in unimaginable places • independent genesis  deeper understanding about ourselves • exobiology  astrobiology

  10. Transition to life spontaneous? • Prior to Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) • Flies & maggots from rotting meat • Lice from sweat • Eels & fish from sea mud… • Disproven by Pasteur • All life from existing life • First life: from non-living matter? • Need a strategy RGS p.2, Lon p.157, BS p.154+164-165

  11. What is life? Life elsewhere might be different Need to look for general properties • Example: cat versus car • get energy, can move, produce waste • what’s different? • Reproduces itself RGS p.2, Lon p.157, BS p.154+164-165

  12. Properties of life? • … • …. • ….. • …… • …….. • ……….

  13. Properties of life? • Order • Reproduction • Growth & development • Energy utilization • Response to environment • Evolutionary adaptation RGS p.2, Lon p.157, BS p.154+164-165

  14. Darwinian evolution • More individuals produced than survive • Struggle for existence (limited resources) • Individuals show variation (often subtle) • Individuals produce similar offspring Works also/especially at the molecular level: RNA can replicate itself  RNA world RGS p.2, Lon p.168, BS p.164,181

  15. Natural selection is • the occasional mutations that occur in DNA; • the mechanism by which advantageous traits are preferentially passed on from parents to offspring; • the idea that organisms can develop new characteristics during their lives and then pass these on to their offspring. BS p.195

  16. Natural selection is • the occasional mutations that occur in DNA; • the mechanism by which advantageous traits are preferentially passed on from parents to offspring; • the idea that organisms can develop new characteristics during their lives and then pass these on to their offspring. BS p.182

  17. What we talked about • Definition of life • Darwinian evolution, natural selection • & self-replication • Next time: • Why carbon, & not silicon-based • Why water? • pp. 3-8, Sects. 1.1 & 1.2

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