abiogenesis
/ˌeɪ.baɪ.oʊˈdʒɛn.ə.sɪs/
Definition
The hypothetical natural process by which life arises from non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'a-' (not), 'bios' (life), and 'genesis' (origin). It was coined in the late 19th century to describe the emergence of living organisms from non-living substances.
In the news
The article mentions abiogenesis in the context of discovering complex sugars in space, which suggests that the essential chemical building blocks for life may have been available to jump-start life on Earth. This research helps scientists investigate whether these ingredients were already present in our solar system's early environment.
In a sweet discovery, astronomers find sugar lurking in the space between stars
Read the full article ↗The Tribune-Democrat