How does the discovery of life in our solar system affect the explanations for the origin of life?

Question

How does the discovery of life in our solar system affect the explanations for the origin of life?

Answer 1

The discovery of life in other planets may prove one theory regarding the origin of life. This theory states that the first living organism actually came from a series of developments in the basic biomolecules - amino acids, nucleic acids, and the like.These biomolecules later developed a mitochondria and cytoplasm which is supported by the Endosymbiotic Theory.

I suggest you read more on the mentioned theories to learn more about the origin og life and associate it with the dicoveries of a possible existence of life in other planets.

Answer 2

The only place life has been discovered is on Earth.

If we discovered that, at one time, there was life on Mars, that would lead some folk to trumpet their speculation that life on Earth began on Mars.  If it's found on Triton too, then someone is bound to bring up the Panspermia speculation.

Answer 3

It would depend on the chemistry.  It might affect religious people but science has a pretty good idea on the origin of life even though they lack the exact mechanism.  Another example would likely solidify the possible very early mechanisms by comparing the chemistry of how each reproduced.  If they were very similar, it might give extra weight to the theory that life first arrived on asteroids.  That is highly unlikely in my opinion.

Answer 4

There are definitely some forms of microbial life in the martian soil, and Europa with its think crust of ice and a very deep ocean beneath it. Life is more resistant that you think! Some microorganisms can live in radioactive waste or very acidic and high temperature environments were we would die instantly! Billions of years ago when the Earth was forming it was very hot and inhospitable and life still managed to appear and evolve! And as the conditions got better it started evolving  into more complex organisms!

Answer 5

People are starting to get a better idea of the sorts of things that would allow life to appear, although as the previous answer points out, there isn't one definite known mechanism yet, and given a sample size of 1, it is very difficult to draw any conclusions about likelihood. If we knew life was present in environments other than earth, that would give us more information about how life might appear.