LUCA Argumentative Essay
Evolutionary biologist, William Martin, tried to determine the Last universal Common ancestor or LUCA. Given that bacteria and archaea are thought to be the earliest domains, Martin and his team classified the known protein-coding genes of both archaea and bacteria. They examined the sequence of the genes to determine the ancestral gene, of which the particular genes came from. From this process, they narrowed down the genes from about six million to three hundred thirty five genes that were likely to exist in LUCA. The probable genes make up LUCA and the life requirements, such as energy production, that are not coded in the genes are thought to be aided from the environment. The research is significant because LUCA is thought to be the most
recent common ancestor of all living organisms. The information could help scientists track the evolution that created distinct domains.
I found this article particularly interesting because LUCA is thought to be the most recent common ancestor of all living organisms. This interests me because LUCA would be the common point between archaea and bacteria, the earliest domains. In addition, I thought it was interesting that despite being the last common ancestor of organisms, LUCA is far off from the origin of life. Dr. Sutherland pointed out that life would need ultraviolet rays to survive, something that LUCA would not have access to in deep sea vents. Instead, the organisms in which LUCA evolved from, or LUCA itself, was confined to deep sea vents because of events such as the Bombardment.
Another possible experiment to further the research would be to create possible scenarios and simulations of how early life would’ve moved from land pools to the deep sea ocean. For instance, researchers and scientists could evaluate the necessary components LUCA or its ancestors would need to move. Another method would be to evaluate how the organisms could move based on what was present at the time that LUCA or its ancestors could use. The simulation could show what would’ve happened with the
recent common ancestor of all living organisms. The information could help scientists track the evolution that created distinct domains.
I found this article particularly interesting because LUCA is thought to be the most recent common ancestor of all living organisms. This interests me because LUCA would be the common point between archaea and bacteria, the earliest domains. In addition, I thought it was interesting that despite being the last common ancestor of organisms, LUCA is far off from the origin of life. Dr. Sutherland pointed out that life would need ultraviolet rays to survive, something that LUCA would not have access to in deep sea vents. Instead, the organisms in which LUCA evolved from, or LUCA itself, was confined to deep sea vents because of events such as the Bombardment.
Another possible experiment to further the research would be to create possible scenarios and simulations of how early life would’ve moved from land pools to the deep sea ocean. For instance, researchers and scientists could evaluate the necessary components LUCA or its ancestors would need to move. Another method would be to evaluate how the organisms could move based on what was present at the time that LUCA or its ancestors could use. The simulation could show what would’ve happened with the