Origins of life

The origins of life theory suggests that life began on Earth through a series of chemical reactions that produced simple organic molecules from inorganic elements. Over time, these molecules organized into more complex structures, eventually forming self-replicating entities like RNA. These early molecules grew more intricate, leading to the development of cells—the fundamental units of life. Environmental factors such as lightning, volcanic activity, and the Earth's primordial conditions likely facilitated these processes. While the exact steps remain a scientific mystery, the transition from non-living chemistry to living organisms is thought to have occurred around 3.5 to 4 billion years ago.