--- Unbroken Thread To understand life necessarily takes a consideration of fundamental particles and forces. Considering the most basic forms of matter and energy, we can follow the ways in which particles combine to form elements, elements combine to form molecules, and molecules combine to form more complex forms of matter, in particular life and ourselves. --- Evolution of Life Following the history of the universe, we can consider two stages of evolution that led to life. Particle/Element Evolution - Stage 1 begins with the emergence of fundamental particles and forces in the big bang. Slightly later in this stage fundamental particles evolved to form the simplest elements, most notably Hydrogen. Hydrogen is the significant element from which stars are made. More complex elements are made in stars during the lifetimes. Understanding how stars are made, and how complex elements are made in stars takes an understanding of particles and forces. Element/Chemical Evolution – Stage 2 begins after all of the possible elements have been created in the 1st generation of stars, notably at the end of their lifetime. The formation of planets, in particular the Earth is possible only with complex elements created in stars. In stage 2, with the Earth newly formed, life begins through the process of Chemical Evolution. Chemical Evolution relies on how fundamental particles and forces work to form more complex molecules. Complex molecules evolve through a chemical version of natural selection: Molecules that have certain stability survive to combine with other molecules to build-up increasing complexity. Understanding Chemical Evolution also takes an understanding of particles and forces. --- Genetic Evolution Once life began the most common understanding of Evolution and Natural Selection kicks in. Consider this a third stage of evolution in this context, Genetic Evolution. Each stage of evolution involves increasing complexity, yet at the foundation each are dependant on elemental particles and forces. What’s going on in the genes of humans is the same thing that preceded humanity, adaptation towards more efficient ways of surviving through a more or less random process of trial and error at the level of chemical molecules. The 2 stages of the evolution are incorporated in the evolution of humanity, in the sense that genetic evolution relies on the same fundamental mechanisms. At the level of genes, Chemical Evolution is responsible for Genetic Evolution. --- People In this context, the genetic difference between Asians, Africans and Europeans etc. is merely a consequence of the workings of fundamental particles and forces adapting to different environments of the Earth. “The universe is as close as the veins in your neck” ~proverb ~t https://facebook/groups/642818085789837
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:50:17 +0000
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