Question

Please help me! I will give medals for all help.

1. describe the Theory of the Origin of Life
2.Explain the scientific evidence to support the Theory of the Origin of Life
3.Explain why the Origin of Life is a theory and not a law

Answer 1

Hm.. I was not aware of a concrete, standard model for the Origin of Life. I was under the impression that such a topic was still being debated. At the very least, I don't think that theory would be the right term for the many (sometimes conflicting) models proposed to explain the origin of life.

Answer 2

Anyways, I'll try to offer you what I know...

It seems scientists have mostly agreed that the first genetic material was RNA - RNA can not only transmit genetic info, but also serve as a catalyst...even today, we see that it's the rRNA in a ribosome that basically catalyzes the protein synthesis reaction - not the protein portion.

We also know that small membrane bound (similar to cell membranes) structures can form spontaneously in water. Simple forms of reproduction (budding off of the membrane) also occur. Actually, these little blobs are more versatile than we may have thought....see Hanczyc's TED talk if you're interested: http://www.ted.com/talks/martin_hanczyc_the_line_between_life_and_not_life.html

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Miller-Urey type experiments which also hinted at the generation of relatively complex organic compounds given, essentially, an energy source and some chemicals.

As for your third question, theories refer to broader ideas which have been verified and supported with copious amounts of evidence...laws are generally succinct, mathematical expressions with deal with a very specific phenomena. Theories seek to explain laws. Again, I am unsure if the current status of knowledge about abiogenesis can be called a theory, but once the gaps have been filled, theory would indeed be the correct term as opposed to law.