abiogenesis
noun
abio·gen·e·sis
ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈje-nə-səs 
: the origin of life from nonliving matter
specifically
: a theory in the evolution of early life on earth: organic molecules and subsequent simple life forms first originated from inorganic substances
According to the conventional hypothesis, the earliest living cells emerged as a result of chemical evolution on our planet billions of years ago in a process called abiogenesis. —
David Warmflash et al.
David Warmflash et al. Examples of abiogenesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Specifically, Tour believes that abiogenesis scientists have been unable to convincingly demonstrate naturally occurring pathways for molecules, such as proteins and amino acids, to create living cells.
—The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
As such, humans have long wondered whether our world is the only place where life has emerged — a process known as abiogenesis.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023
The team assume that where conditions allow, life will emerge from inorganic processes, a phenomenon known as abiogenesis.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2020
If the events that led to life are supremely uncommon, those many solar systems might still not be enough, statistically, to have resulted in abiogenesis—in other beings.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023
The analysis leads us to conclude that abiogenesis and evolution, rather than manifesting two discrete stages in the emergence of complex life, actually constitute one single physicochemical process.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2012
There are two main hypotheses for how clumps of chemistry became lumps of biology—a process called abiogenesis.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023
Finally, the Hominid Panspermia Theory still requires abiogenesis at some point and allows for multiple occurrences.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011
Perhaps the outcome of a different abiogenesis event, or an alien biochemistry.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2010
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The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
As such, humans have long wondered whether our world is the only place where life has emerged — a process known as abiogenesis.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023
The team assume that where conditions allow, life will emerge from inorganic processes, a phenomenon known as abiogenesis.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2020
If the events that led to life are supremely uncommon, those many solar systems might still not be enough, statistically, to have resulted in abiogenesis—in other beings.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023
The analysis leads us to conclude that abiogenesis and evolution, rather than manifesting two discrete stages in the emergence of complex life, actually constitute one single physicochemical process.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2012
There are two main hypotheses for how clumps of chemistry became lumps of biology—a process called abiogenesis.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023
Finally, the Hominid Panspermia Theory still requires abiogenesis at some point and allows for multiple occurrences.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011
Perhaps the outcome of a different abiogenesis event, or an alien biochemistry.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2010
Dictionary Entries Near abiogenesis
Cite this Entry
“Abiogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abiogenesis. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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abiogenesis
noun
abio·gen·e·sis
ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈjen-ə-səs
: the origin of life from nonliving matter
specifically
: a theory in the evolution of early life on earth: organic molecules and subsequent simple life forms first originated from inorganic substances
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