Genesis: Rocks, Minerals, and the Geochemical Origin of Life

Research Article| June 01, 2005 Genesis: Rocks, Minerals, and the Geochemical Origin of Life Robert M. Hazen Robert M. Hazen Guest Editor 1Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution and NASA Astrobiology Institute, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA E-mail: r.hazen@gl.ciw.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2005) 1 (3): 135–137. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.1.3.135 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Robert M. Hazen; Genesis: Rocks, Minerals, and the Geochemical Origin of Life. Elements 2005;; 1 (3): 135–137. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.1.3.135 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Life arose on the young Earth as a natural chemical process. More than half a century of experimental research has underscored the dynamic interactions of atmosphere, oceans, and rocks that fostered this ancient transition from geochemistry to biochemistry. Researchers on the origin of life now conclude that rocks and minerals must have played key roles in virtually every phase of life's emergence—they catalyzed the synthesis of key biomolecules; they selected, protected, and concentrated those molecules; they jump-started metabolism; and they may even have acted as life's first genetic system. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.