370
个编辑
更改
跳到导航
跳到搜索
第499行：
第499行： − + − 最早的生命证据：古生物学+ − + + + − 冰川国家公园锡耶组的前寒武纪叠层。2002年的一项研究表明，这些35亿年前的岩层中含有蓝藻微生物化石。这表明它们是地球上最早的生命形式之一的证据。+ − [[File:Stromatolites in Sharkbay.jpg|thumb|Stromatolites in [[Shark Bay]]]] − 鲨鱼湾中的石笋 − 地球上最早的生命存在于35亿年前，在早太宙时期，随着冥古宙的溶化，地壳已经凝固。迄今为止发现的最早的物理证据包括魁北克北部努夫雅集图克绿岩带中的微生物化石，在带状铁形成的岩石中，至少在37.7亿年前，也可能在42.8亿年前。据悉，微生物的结构与现代热液喷口附近发现的细菌相似，并为非生物发生始于热液喷口附近的假说提供了支持。+ + − 在格陵兰岛西南部距今37亿年前的变质岩中发现了生物石墨，在西澳大利亚距今34.8亿年前的砂岩中发现了微生物垫层化石。在格陵兰岛西南部伊苏亚超地壳带附近的阿基利亚岛的岩石中发现了早期生命的证据，可追溯到37亿年前的这些证据显示了生物碳同位素。在伊苏亚超地壳带的其他地方，被困在石榴石晶体内的石墨包裹体与生命的其他元素：氧气、氮气和可能以磷酸盐形式存在的磷相连，为生命存在于37亿年前提供了进一步的证据。在西澳大利亚皮尔巴拉地区的斯特•雷利池，在一个化石滩的含黄铁矿砂岩中发现了早期生命的令人信服的证据，它显示了圆形的管状细胞，在没有氧气的情况下通过光合作用氧化硫。2015年对西澳大利亚的锆石的进一步研究表明，地球上至少在41亿年前可能存在生命。+ − +
→Earliest evidence of life: palaeontology
据估计，晚期重型轰炸还可能对数十米深的地球表面进行了有效的消毒。如果生命进化到比这更深的地方，它也会被屏蔽在太阳进化的T金牛座阶段的早期高水平紫外线辐射之外。对地热加热的海洋地壳进行模拟，得到的有机物远比Miller–Urey实验中发现的多。在深层热液喷口中，埃弗雷特-休克发现 "存在着形成有机化合物的巨大热力学驱动力，因为海水和热液远未达到平衡，混合并向更稳定的状态发展。"休克发现，可用能量在100-150℃左右达到最大，而这正是发现嗜热细菌和嗜热古菌的温度，处于最接近最后一个宇宙共同祖先（LUCA）的生命系统发育树的底部。
据估计，晚期重型轰炸还可能对数十米深的地球表面进行了有效的消毒。如果生命进化到比这更深的地方，它也会被屏蔽在太阳进化的T金牛座阶段的早期高水平紫外线辐射之外。对地热加热的海洋地壳进行模拟，得到的有机物远比Miller–Urey实验中发现的多。在深层热液喷口中，埃弗雷特-休克发现 "存在着形成有机化合物的巨大热力学驱动力，因为海水和热液远未达到平衡，混合并向更稳定的状态发展。"休克发现，可用能量在100-150℃左右达到最大，而这正是发现嗜热细菌和嗜热古菌的温度，处于最接近最后一个宇宙共同祖先（LUCA）的生命系统发育树的底部。
== Earliest evidence of life: palaeontology==
== 生命的最早证据：古生物学==
{{Main|Earliest known life forms}}
{{Main|Earliest known life forms}}
[[File:Stromatolites.jpg|left|thumb|[[Precambrian]] [[stromatolite]]s in the Siyeh Formation, [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]].
[[File:Stromatolites.jpg|left|thumb|[[Precambrian]] [[stromatolite]]s in the Siyeh Formation, [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]].
A 2002 study suggested that these 3.5 Gyo (billion year old) [[Geologic formation|formations]] contain fossilized [[cyanobacteria]] [[microorganism|microbes]]. This suggests they are evidence of one of the [[Earliest known life forms|earliest life forms]] on [[Earth]].]]
A 2002 study suggested that these 3.5 Gyo (billion year old) [[Geologic formation|formations]] contain fossilized [[cyanobacteria]] [[microorganism|microbes]]. This suggests they are evidence of one of the [[Earliest known life forms|earliest life forms]] on [[Earth]]. 冰川国家公园锡耶组的前寒武纪叠层。2002年的一项研究表明，这些35亿年前的岩层中含有蓝藻微生物化石。这表明它们是地球上最早的生命形式之一的证据。]]
[[File:Stromatolites in Sharkbay.jpg|thumb|Stromatolites in [[Shark Bay]] 鲨鱼湾中的石笋]]
The earliest life on Earth existed more than 3.5 Gya (billion years ago),<ref name="Origin1" /><ref name="Origin2" /><ref name="RavenJohnson2002" /> during the [[Eoarchean]] Era when sufficient crust had solidified following the molten Hadean Eon. The earliest physical evidence so far found consists of [[Micropaleontology#Microfossils|microfossils]] in the [[Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt]] of Northern Quebec, in [[banded iron formation]] rocks at least 3.77 and possibly 4.28 Gyo.<ref name="NAT-20170301" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/oldest-record-life-earth-found-quebec-1.4004545 |title=Oldest traces of life on Earth found in Quebec, dating back roughly 3.8 Gya |author=Mortillaro, Nicole |publisher=CBC News |date=1 March 2017 |accessdate=2 March 2017 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301221842/http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/oldest-record-life-earth-found-quebec-1.4004545 |archivedate=1 March 2017}}</ref> This finding suggested life developed very soon after oceans formed. The structure of the microbes was noted to be similar to bacteria found near [[hydrothermal vents]] in the modern era, and provided support for the hypothesis that abiogenesis began near hydrothermal vents.<ref name="4.3b oldest" /><ref name="NAT-20170301" />
The earliest life on Earth existed more than 3.5 Gya (billion years ago),<ref name="Origin1" /><ref name="Origin2" /><ref name="RavenJohnson2002" /> during the [[Eoarchean]] Era when sufficient crust had solidified following the molten Hadean Eon. The earliest physical evidence so far found consists of [[Micropaleontology#Microfossils|microfossils]] in the [[Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt]] of Northern Quebec, in [[banded iron formation]] rocks at least 3.77 and possibly 4.28 Gyo.<ref name="NAT-20170301" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/oldest-record-life-earth-found-quebec-1.4004545 |title=Oldest traces of life on Earth found in Quebec, dating back roughly 3.8 Gya |author=Mortillaro, Nicole |publisher=CBC News |date=1 March 2017 |accessdate=2 March 2017 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301221842/http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/oldest-record-life-earth-found-quebec-1.4004545 |archivedate=1 March 2017}}</ref> This finding suggested life developed very soon after oceans formed. The structure of the microbes was noted to be similar to bacteria found near [[hydrothermal vents]] in the modern era, and provided support for the hypothesis that abiogenesis began near hydrothermal vents.<ref name="4.3b oldest" /><ref name="NAT-20170301" />
地球上最早的生命存在于35亿年前，<ref name="Origin1" /><ref name="Origin2" /><ref name="RavenJohnson2002" />在早太宙时期，随着冥古宙的溶化，地壳已经凝固。迄今为止发现的最早的物理证据包括魁北克北部努夫雅集图克绿岩带中的微生物化石，位于带状铁形成的岩石中，形成时间至少在37.7亿年前，也可能在42.8亿年前。<ref name="NAT-20170301" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/oldest-record-life-earth-found-quebec-1.4004545 |title=Oldest traces of life on Earth found in Quebec, dating back roughly 3.8 Gya |author=Mortillaro, Nicole |publisher=CBC News |date=1 March 2017 |accessdate=2 March 2017 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301221842/http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/oldest-record-life-earth-found-quebec-1.4004545 |archivedate=1 March 2017}}</ref>这个发现表明生命在海洋形成后不久便出现了。据悉，微生物的结构与现代热液喷口附近发现的细菌相似，为生物发生始于热液喷口附近的假说提供了支持。
Biogenic [[graphite]] has been found in 3.7 Gyo metasedimentary rocks from southwestern [[Greenland]]<ref name="NG-20131208">{{cite journal |last1=Ohtomo |first1=Yoko |last2=Kakegawa |first2=Takeshi |last3=Ishida |first3=Akizumi |last4=Nagase |first4=Toshiro |last5=Rosing |first5=Minik T. |display-authors=3 |date=January 2014 |title=Evidence for biogenic graphite in early Archaean Isua metasedimentary rocks |journal=[[Nature Geoscience]] |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=25–28 |bibcode=2014NatGe...7...25O |doi=10.1038/ngeo2025 }}</ref> and [[microbial mat]] fossils found in 3.48 Gyo sandstone from [[Western Australia]].<ref name="AP-20131113">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |date=13 November 2013 |title=Oldest fossil found: Meet your microbial mom |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131113/DAA1VSC01.html |work=[[Excite]] |location=Yonkers, NY |publisher=[[Mindspark Interactive Network]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=2015-06-02 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629230719/http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131113/DAA1VSC01.html |archivedate=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="AST-20131108">{{cite journal |last1=Noffke |first1=Nora |last2=Christian |first2=Daniel |last3=Wacey |first3=David |last4=Hazen |first4=Robert M. |authorlink4=Robert Hazen |date=16 November 2013 |title=Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures Recording an Ancient Ecosystem in the ''ca.'' 3.48 Gyo Dresser Formation, Pilbara, Western Australia |journal=[[Astrobiology (journal)|Astrobiology]] |volume=13 |issue=12 |pages=1103–1124 |bibcode=2013AsBio..13.1103N |doi=10.1089/ast.2013.1030 |pmc=3870916 |pmid=24205812}}</ref> Evidence of early life in rocks from [[Akilia]] Island, near the [[Isua Greenstone Belt|Isua supracrustal belt]] in southwestern Greenland, dating to 3.7 Gya have shown biogenic [[carbon isotope]]s.<ref name="NYT-20160831">{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Nicholas |title=World's Oldest Fossils Found in Greenland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/science/oldest-fossils-on-earth.html |date=31 August 2016 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=31 August 2016 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831185959/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/science/oldest-fossils-on-earth.html |archivedate=31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1999}}</ref> In other parts of the Isua supracrustal belt, graphite inclusions trapped within [[garnet]] crystals are connected to the other elements of life: oxygen, nitrogen, and possibly phosphorus in the form of [[phosphate]], providing further evidence for life 3.7 Gya.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hassenkam|first1=T. |last2=Andersson |first2=M.P. |last3=Dalby|first3=K.N. |last4=Mackenzie |first4=D.M.A.|last5=Rosing |first5=M.T. |title=Elements of Eoarchean life trapped in mineral inclusions |journal=Nature |doi=10.1038/nature23261 |pmid=28738409 |volume=548|issue=7665|pages=78–81 |year=2017 |bibcode=2017Natur.548...78H|s2cid=205257931 }}</ref> At Strelley Pool, in the [[Pilbara]] region of Western Australia, compelling evidence of early life was found in [[pyrite]]-bearing sandstone in a fossilized beach, that showed rounded tubular cells that [[Redox|oxidized]] sulfur by [[photosynthesis]] in the absence of oxygen.<ref name="TG-20131113-JP">{{cite news |last=Pearlman |first=Jonathan |date=13 November 2013 |title=Oldest signs of life on Earth found |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10445788/Oldest-signs-of-life-on-Earth-found.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |accessdate=2014-12-15 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216062531/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10445788/Oldest-signs-of-life-on-Earth-found.html |archivedate=16 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=O'Donoghue |first=James |date=21 August 2011 |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20813-oldest-reliable-fossils-show-early-life-was-a-beach.html |title=Oldest reliable fossils show early life was a beach |journal=[[New Scientist]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630201918/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20813-oldest-reliable-fossils-show-early-life-was-a-beach.html |archivedate=30 June 2015|doi=10.1016/S0262-4079(11)62064-2 |volume=211 |page=13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wacey |first1=David |last2=Kilburn |first2=Matt R. |last3=Saunders |first3=Martin |last4=Cliff |first4=John |last5=Brasier |first5=Martin D. |authorlink5=Martin Brasier |display-authors=3 |date=October 2011 |title=Microfossils of sulphur-metabolizing cells in 3.4-billion-year-old rocks of Western Australia |journal=Nature Geoscience |volume=4 |issue=10 |pages=698–702 |bibcode=2011NatGe...4..698W |doi=10.1038/ngeo1238}}</ref> Further research on [[zircon]]s from Western Australia in 2015 suggested that life likely existed on Earth at least 4.1 Gya.<ref name="AP-20151019">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |title=Hints of life on what was thought to be desolate early Earth |url=https://apnews.com/e6be2537b4cd46ffb9c0585bae2b2e51 |date=19 October 2015 |work=AP News |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=9 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="PNAS-20151014-pdf">{{cite journal |last1=Bell |first1=Elizabeth A. |last2=Boehnike |first2=Patrick |last3=Harrison |first3=T. Mark |last4=Mao |first4=Wendy L. |display-authors=3 |date=19 October 2015 |title=Potentially biogenic carbon preserved in a 4.1 billion-year-old zircon|journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |doi=10.1073/pnas.1517557112|pages=14518–14521 |pmid=26483481 |pmc=4664351 |volume=112 |issue=47 |bibcode=2015PNAS..11214518B}} Early edition, published online before print.</ref><ref name="UCLA-20151019">{{cite web |last1=Wolpert |first1=Stuart |title=Life on Earth likely started at least 4.1 billion years ago – much earlier than scientists had thought |url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/life-on-earth-likely-started-at-least-4-1-billion-years-ago-much-earlier-than-scientists-had-thought |date=19 October 2015 |publisher=[[ULCA]] |accessdate=20 October 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020164038/http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/life-on-earth-likely-started-at-least-4-1-billion-years-ago-much-earlier-than-scientists-had-thought |archivedate=20 October 2015}}</ref>
Biogenic [[graphite]] has been found in 3.7 Gyo metasedimentary rocks from southwestern [[Greenland]]<ref name="NG-20131208">{{cite journal |last1=Ohtomo |first1=Yoko |last2=Kakegawa |first2=Takeshi |last3=Ishida |first3=Akizumi |last4=Nagase |first4=Toshiro |last5=Rosing |first5=Minik T. |display-authors=3 |date=January 2014 |title=Evidence for biogenic graphite in early Archaean Isua metasedimentary rocks |journal=[[Nature Geoscience]] |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=25–28 |bibcode=2014NatGe...7...25O |doi=10.1038/ngeo2025 }}</ref> and [[microbial mat]] fossils found in 3.48 Gyo sandstone from [[Western Australia]].<ref name="AP-20131113">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |date=13 November 2013 |title=Oldest fossil found: Meet your microbial mom |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131113/DAA1VSC01.html |work=[[Excite]] |location=Yonkers, NY |publisher=[[Mindspark Interactive Network]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=2015-06-02 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629230719/http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131113/DAA1VSC01.html |archivedate=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="AST-20131108">{{cite journal |last1=Noffke |first1=Nora |last2=Christian |first2=Daniel |last3=Wacey |first3=David |last4=Hazen |first4=Robert M. |authorlink4=Robert Hazen |date=16 November 2013 |title=Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures Recording an Ancient Ecosystem in the ''ca.'' 3.48 Gyo Dresser Formation, Pilbara, Western Australia |journal=[[Astrobiology (journal)|Astrobiology]] |volume=13 |issue=12 |pages=1103–1124 |bibcode=2013AsBio..13.1103N |doi=10.1089/ast.2013.1030 |pmc=3870916 |pmid=24205812}}</ref> Evidence of early life in rocks from [[Akilia]] Island, near the [[Isua Greenstone Belt|Isua supracrustal belt]] in southwestern Greenland, dating to 3.7 Gya have shown biogenic [[carbon isotope]]s.<ref name="NYT-20160831">{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Nicholas |title=World's Oldest Fossils Found in Greenland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/science/oldest-fossils-on-earth.html |date=31 August 2016 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=31 August 2016 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831185959/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/science/oldest-fossils-on-earth.html |archivedate=31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1999}}</ref> In other parts of the Isua supracrustal belt, graphite inclusions trapped within [[garnet]] crystals are connected to the other elements of life: oxygen, nitrogen, and possibly phosphorus in the form of [[phosphate]], providing further evidence for life 3.7 Gya.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hassenkam|first1=T. |last2=Andersson |first2=M.P. |last3=Dalby|first3=K.N. |last4=Mackenzie |first4=D.M.A.|last5=Rosing |first5=M.T. |title=Elements of Eoarchean life trapped in mineral inclusions |journal=Nature |doi=10.1038/nature23261 |pmid=28738409 |volume=548|issue=7665|pages=78–81 |year=2017 |bibcode=2017Natur.548...78H|s2cid=205257931 }}</ref> At Strelley Pool, in the [[Pilbara]] region of Western Australia, compelling evidence of early life was found in [[pyrite]]-bearing sandstone in a fossilized beach, that showed rounded tubular cells that [[Redox|oxidized]] sulfur by [[photosynthesis]] in the absence of oxygen.<ref name="TG-20131113-JP">{{cite news |last=Pearlman |first=Jonathan |date=13 November 2013 |title=Oldest signs of life on Earth found |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10445788/Oldest-signs-of-life-on-Earth-found.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |accessdate=2014-12-15 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216062531/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10445788/Oldest-signs-of-life-on-Earth-found.html |archivedate=16 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=O'Donoghue |first=James |date=21 August 2011 |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20813-oldest-reliable-fossils-show-early-life-was-a-beach.html |title=Oldest reliable fossils show early life was a beach |journal=[[New Scientist]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630201918/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20813-oldest-reliable-fossils-show-early-life-was-a-beach.html |archivedate=30 June 2015|doi=10.1016/S0262-4079(11)62064-2 |volume=211 |page=13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wacey |first1=David |last2=Kilburn |first2=Matt R. |last3=Saunders |first3=Martin |last4=Cliff |first4=John |last5=Brasier |first5=Martin D. |authorlink5=Martin Brasier |display-authors=3 |date=October 2011 |title=Microfossils of sulphur-metabolizing cells in 3.4-billion-year-old rocks of Western Australia |journal=Nature Geoscience |volume=4 |issue=10 |pages=698–702 |bibcode=2011NatGe...4..698W |doi=10.1038/ngeo1238}}</ref> Further research on [[zircon]]s from Western Australia in 2015 suggested that life likely existed on Earth at least 4.1 Gya.<ref name="AP-20151019">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |title=Hints of life on what was thought to be desolate early Earth |url=https://apnews.com/e6be2537b4cd46ffb9c0585bae2b2e51 |date=19 October 2015 |work=AP News |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=9 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="PNAS-20151014-pdf">{{cite journal |last1=Bell |first1=Elizabeth A. |last2=Boehnike |first2=Patrick |last3=Harrison |first3=T. Mark |last4=Mao |first4=Wendy L. |display-authors=3 |date=19 October 2015 |title=Potentially biogenic carbon preserved in a 4.1 billion-year-old zircon|journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |doi=10.1073/pnas.1517557112|pages=14518–14521 |pmid=26483481 |pmc=4664351 |volume=112 |issue=47 |bibcode=2015PNAS..11214518B}} Early edition, published online before print.</ref><ref name="UCLA-20151019">{{cite web |last1=Wolpert |first1=Stuart |title=Life on Earth likely started at least 4.1 billion years ago – much earlier than scientists had thought |url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/life-on-earth-likely-started-at-least-4-1-billion-years-ago-much-earlier-than-scientists-had-thought |date=19 October 2015 |publisher=[[ULCA]] |accessdate=20 October 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020164038/http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/life-on-earth-likely-started-at-least-4-1-billion-years-ago-much-earlier-than-scientists-had-thought |archivedate=20 October 2015}}</ref>
人们在格陵兰岛西南部距今37亿年前的变质岩中发现了生物石墨<ref name="NG-20131208">{{cite journal |last1=Ohtomo |first1=Yoko |last2=Kakegawa |first2=Takeshi |last3=Ishida |first3=Akizumi |last4=Nagase |first4=Toshiro |last5=Rosing |first5=Minik T. |display-authors=3 |date=January 2014 |title=Evidence for biogenic graphite in early Archaean Isua metasedimentary rocks |journal=[[Nature Geoscience]] |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=25–28 |bibcode=2014NatGe...7...25O |doi=10.1038/ngeo2025 }}</ref> ，在西澳大利亚距今34.8亿年前的砂岩中发现了微生物垫层化石<ref name="AP-20131113">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |date=13 November 2013 |title=Oldest fossil found: Meet your microbial mom |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131113/DAA1VSC01.html |work=[[Excite]] |location=Yonkers, NY |publisher=[[Mindspark Interactive Network]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=2015-06-02 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629230719/http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131113/DAA1VSC01.html |archivedate=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="AST-20131108">{{cite journal |last1=Noffke |first1=Nora |last2=Christian |first2=Daniel |last3=Wacey |first3=David |last4=Hazen |first4=Robert M. |authorlink4=Robert Hazen |date=16 November 2013 |title=Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures Recording an Ancient Ecosystem in the ''ca.'' 3.48 Gyo Dresser Formation, Pilbara, Western Australia |journal=[[Astrobiology (journal)|Astrobiology]] |volume=13 |issue=12 |pages=1103–1124 |bibcode=2013AsBio..13.1103N |doi=10.1089/ast.2013.1030 |pmc=3870916 |pmid=24205812}}</ref>。在格陵兰岛西南部伊苏亚超地壳带附近的阿基利亚岛的岩石中发现了早期生命的证据，这些可追溯到37亿年前的证据中发现了生物碳同位素<ref name="NYT-20160831">{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Nicholas |title=World's Oldest Fossils Found in Greenland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/science/oldest-fossils-on-earth.html |date=31 August 2016 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=31 August 2016 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831185959/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/science/oldest-fossils-on-earth.html |archivedate=31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1999}}</ref> 。在伊苏亚超地壳带的其他地方，被困在石榴石晶体内的石墨包裹体与生命的其他元素：氧气、氮气和可能以磷酸盐形式存在的磷相连，为生命存在于37亿年前提供了进一步的证据<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hassenkam|first1=T. |last2=Andersson |first2=M.P. |last3=Dalby|first3=K.N. |last4=Mackenzie |first4=D.M.A.|last5=Rosing |first5=M.T. |title=Elements of Eoarchean life trapped in mineral inclusions |journal=Nature |doi=10.1038/nature23261 |pmid=28738409 |volume=548|issue=7665|pages=78–81 |year=2017 |bibcode=2017Natur.548...78H|s2cid=205257931 }}</ref> 。在西澳大利亚皮尔巴拉地区的斯特•雷利池，在一个化石滩的含黄铁矿砂岩中发现了早期生命的令人信服的证据，它显示了圆形的管状细胞，在没有氧气的情况下通过光合作用氧化硫。2015年对西澳大利亚的锆石的进一步研究表明，地球上至少在41亿年前可能存在生命。<ref name="AP-20151019">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |title=Hints of life on what was thought to be desolate early Earth |url=https://apnews.com/e6be2537b4cd46ffb9c0585bae2b2e51 |date=19 October 2015 |work=AP News |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=9 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="PNAS-20151014-pdf">{{cite journal |last1=Bell |first1=Elizabeth A. |last2=Boehnike |first2=Patrick |last3=Harrison |first3=T. Mark |last4=Mao |first4=Wendy L. |display-authors=3 |date=19 October 2015 |title=Potentially biogenic carbon preserved in a 4.1 billion-year-old zircon|journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |doi=10.1073/pnas.1517557112|pages=14518–14521 |pmid=26483481 |pmc=4664351 |volume=112 |issue=47 |bibcode=2015PNAS..11214518B}} Early edition, published online before print.</ref><ref name="UCLA-20151019">{{cite web |last1=Wolpert |first1=Stuart |title=Life on Earth likely started at least 4.1 billion years ago – much earlier than scientists had thought |url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/life-on-earth-likely-started-at-least-4-1-billion-years-ago-much-earlier-than-scientists-had-thought |date=19 October 2015 |publisher=[[ULCA]] |accessdate=20 October 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020164038/http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/life-on-earth-likely-started-at-least-4-1-billion-years-ago-much-earlier-than-scientists-had-thought |archivedate=20 October 2015}}</ref>
<!--This section is linked from The Selfish Gene-->
<!--This section is linked from The Selfish Gene-->
< ! ——本节链接自私的基因 >
< ! ——本节链接自私的基因 >
== Conceptual history until the 1960s: biology ==
== Conceptual history until the 1960s: biology ==