20/6/2025–|Last update: 18:03 (Mecca time)
A team of researchers at the German University of Ludwig Maximilian succeeded in re -simulating the ancient Earth’s environment inside the laboratory, which allowed them to re -represent one of the oldest metabolic paths believed to have contributed to the adaptation of life to the planet about 4 billion years ago. The team published the results of its studies in the journal “Nature Ecology and Evolution”.
It is believed that the first images of life spread on the surface of the earth were in the depths of the oceans, in a hot and mineral environment, and Mai Mabrouk, a professor of biomalic information at the Egyptian Nile University, which is not participating in the study, says in exclusive statements to Al -Jazeera Net that this study provides practical evidence that the first life images on Earth may not need light or oxygen.
Simulation of ancient earth environment
To re -represent this environment, the researchers relied on what is known as “chemical gardens”, which are metal structures that are formed when different chemical solutions interacted, and the team used a mixture of iron chloride and sodium sulfide to form two metal believed to have been common in the ocean of the ancient earth, namely macinowe and Graigit.
“The experiment focused on simulating the deep ocean environment in the old land, which was rich in iron, oxygen -free, and its temperature is high due to volcanic activity and hot springs,” says Mai.
In an oxygen -free environment with a temperature of approximately 80 ° C, these minerals began to naturally produce hydrogen gas. This gas, which was not responsible for its production, has formed a vital energy source of primitive bacteria known as “methanocalocalocus Ganachi” or boiled red methane bacteria.
Although the experiment did not include any additional nutrients, vitamins, or archaeological minerals, the bacteria used, which usually live in harsh conditions, not only survive, but also grown and multiplied. “This means that the mineral hydrogen was sufficient to provide it with the necessary energy,” May Mabrouk commented.
However, things were not easy, as fluid heated, gas bubbles were formed that caused the collapse of metal structures. “The growth of bacteria was 30% slower compared to growth in an ideal laboratory environment that contains all nutrients. However, the mere growth of bacteria in an environment that lacks vital elements is amazing, and shows that life may arise in difficult conditions and limited resources.”
The older past path
The basic puzzle in this experience lies in the white path that these bacteria used to generate the energy needed for their growth. Just as the cars go with gasoline, the majority of living organisms that live on the ground currently depend on oxygen and light. But in the absence of both in the ancient earth environment, the puzzle is complex and the question appears: How did the bacteria extend itself with hydrogen energy?
Under these harsh conditions in the experiment, bacteria have activated a group of genes inside them linked to a vital chemical path that is one of the oldest known paths for energy production in the cell.
“The genetic expression gave strong evidence to stimulate the primitive path,” says Mai
This path produces energy in a way that repels the heat, that is, it generates energy without the need for external inputs, which is what scientists describe as “a free free meal in advance.” The minerals themselves, machenuette and Graigite, are similar to synthetic terms of reaction centers in some modern enzymes, which may indicate that the current enzymes have arisen from natural metal structures found in the ancient earth environment.
“This path is able to convert carbon dioxide into energy and organic compounds,” May Mabrouk added.
The importance of this study is not limited to re -understanding the oldest forms of life on Earth, but also extends to space. “The study indicates that the environments rich in iron sulfide and water, such as those that are believed to be on the Encelados satellite, may be eligible to support life even in the absence of light,” says Mai.
The Moon is “Ecsellados”, which is affiliated with Saturn, one of the most prominent places that may contain similar environments, as it is believed that under its ice surface a salty, active, effective surroundings. The research team plans to simulate the circumstances of this moon in the laboratory to reveal the ability of primitive beings to stay in it, in a new step towards exploring life outside our planet.
