Topics Evolutionary Theory Creationism Theory
Origin of Life Molecules According to
in the Oparin-Haldane theory,
life evolved gradually from
inorganic molecules, with key
elements like amino acids
forming first and
subsequently combining to
form complex polymers
(Rogers, 2018). The complex
molecules were then
separated and then they will
be able to acquire certain
characteristics from living
organisms. Afterwards, they
will be able to obtain
nutrition, develop, and
reproduce.
Origin of the Prokaryote Most likely, the earliest cells
were very primitive
prokaryotic forms. The planet
is 4 to 5 billion years old,
according to radiometric
dating, and prokaryotes may
have evolved more than 3.5
billion years ago. The theory
that life emerged from
nonliving chemical systems,
The theory of evolution,
though widely accepted over
the course of years, poses
many gaps in the logic of the
origins of life molecules. In
Stanley Miller’s experiment,
for instance, a trap is used to
eliminate molecules from the
sparks or radiation that are
used to produce them. If these
organic molecules were
unable to escape, it would
eventually induce their
destruction before they could
ever form into a living cell.
Taking this into account,
anti-evolution advocates,
including creationists, argue
that the second law of
thermodynamics, which
entails that as entropy
increases over time the
systems become more
disordered, negates the
concept of evolutionary
theory; hence, this goes to
show that both evolutionary
theory and the second law of
thermodynamics cannot
coincide (Morris, 1987, as
cited in Schreiber & Gimbel,
2010).
Intelligent Design (ID) argues
that irreducibly complex
organisms, like prokaryotes,
exist as they are. Irreducible
complexity is described as a
single system composed of
several well-matched
interacting parts that
contribute to basic functions,
wherein removal of any one
 known as theory of of the parts causes the system
abiogenesis, has supplanted effectively to cease
spontaneous generation as the functioning (Behe, 1996).
main theory for the origin of Studies by the proponent,
life. Miller and Urey's Michael Behe, conclude that
experiments revealed that Darwinian evolution cannot
early Earth conditions might explain many biochemical
have produced the organic reactions occurring inside the
compounds required for life cell because of its irreducibly
to emerge. Miller's complex nature.
experiments did not exactly
replicate the environment of
primordial Earth, but they did
show the feasibility of
spontaneous synthesis of
organic molecules, which
provided the fundamental
elements from which the
earliest living creatures
evolved.

Origin of the Eukaryote The initial stage in the It was discovered that new
evolution of eukaryotes from bacterial and eukaryotic
prokaryotes was primarily genomes are sequenced and
the proteins encoded are
connected to the survival in
deduced, which confuses the
the new oxygen-rich evolutionary idea of
environment: an aerobic endosymbiosis. The lack of
prokaryotic microbe was evidence for mitochondrial
consumed into the cytoplasm genes derived from the
of a heterotrophic anaerobe. bacterial origin in both the
Lynn Marguilis also proposed mitochondrial DNA and the
genome in the cell's nucleus
that the mitochondria
that would support
originated from an endosymbiosis poses a
endosymbiotic bacteria serious problem for
capable of aerobic respiration evolutionary theory. The
(Knoll, 2012). sequences for many
eukaryotic genomes are now
clearly showing that the gene
repertoires needed for the
mitochondria to function are
not derived from bacteria.
(Tomkins, 2015)

THEORY:
 The origin of life forms on Earth started with simpler and originally perhaps from
non-living substances. Science has documented evolutionism and creationism theory with how
life started and it led to various criticisms on which theory is correct. However, we stand that
both theories were correct and that each supports evidence to the other theory. The origin of
molecules has undergone a natural transformation from inorganic molecules to organic
molecules with the presence of lightning and UV radiation from earth’s early atmosphere. By the
presence of lightning and UV radiation, it generated molecules that were evolutionalized through
combining into complex molecules and acquiring certain characteristics from living organisms.
This led to the biochemical evolution of life. Spontaneous generation of organic molecules led
life to thrive on Earth. Thus, Prokaryotes have existed while utilizing the biochemical molecules
for survival but they later evolved into organisms with several well-matched interacting parts as
earth’s early condition produced the organic compounds required for life to emerge and thrive.
Later on, eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes as a result of endosymbiosis wherein an aerobic
prokaryotic microbe was consumed into the cytoplasm of a heterotrophic anaerobe.

1. Study the summary table you created and postulate your own theory on how life started,
until multicellularity. Note: No one is asking you to defy your religious beliefs! This
activity is for the purpose of learning how to use scientific evidence to create your own
theory.
2. Discuss and justify your theory with your group. Finalize and summarize your output and
submit the output you have created along with your group output in your folder in your
google classroom. Make sure you have labelled your group folder with the name of your
group and your section.

References
Andrew H. Knoll (2012). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Retrieved from:
109 (4) 1022; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1120472109

Aviezer, N. (2010). Intelligent Design versus Evolution.Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3721655/

Cooper, G. M. (2000). The Origin and Evolution of Cells - The Cell - NCBI Bookshelf. NCBI.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9841/

Morris, H. M., (1985). Institute for Creation Research, & Institute for Creation Research.
Scientific Creationism. Adfo Books. Retrieved from
 https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=blkuAS0qoQ8C&lpg=PP1&ots=vM3CNJwp40
&lr&pg=PP3#v=onepage&q&f=false

Rogers, K. (2018). Abiogenesis. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from:

https://www.britannica.com/science/abiogenesis

Schreiber, A., & Gimbel, S. (2010). Evolution and the Second Law of Thermodynamics:
Effectively Communicating to Non-technicians. Evolution: Education and Outreach,
3(1), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12052-009-0195-3

Tomkins, J. P., PhD. (2015). Endosymbiosis: A Theory in Crisis. The Institute for Creation
Research. https://www.icr.org/article/endosymbiosis-theory-crisis

Discussion & Summary

What have you learned about the origin of life? About evolution? How are all of these related to
the cell’s structure and function? What are your reflections about the various articles you have
read? In this lesson, you have learned about the most accepted theories on the origin of life. Why
do you think these theories were more accepted by the scientific community?