direct-hit.png

Direct Hit

Theme A - Unity & diversity

page-facing-up.png

Page Facing Up

Theme B - Form & Function

pill.png

Pill

Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence

keycap-digit-one.png

Keycap Digit One

Theme D - Continuity & Change

<ul>
	<li>🦠 Who&#39;s LUCA? LUCA lived more than 3.5 billion years ago and is the great-great-great (and so on) grandparent of bacteria and archaea.</li>
	<li>🔬 Detective Work with Genes: Scientists can &quot;time travel&quot; by looking at genes today to figure out what LUCA was like.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>🧬 Common Genes, Common Ancestors: If bacteria and archaea share the same genes today, they likely inherited them from LUCA.</li>
	<li>🌳 Building an Evolutionary Tree: By connecting the dots (genes), scientists can draw a family tree that goes all the way back to LUCA.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>🍽️ LUCA&#39;s Diet: LUCA likely ate hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and iron, all found around hydrothermal vents.</li>
	<li>🌊 Hydrothermal Vents: Think of them as underwater volcanoes. Hot water and chemicals gush out, and there are different types. LUCA&#39;s favorite might have been the &quot;white smokers.&quot;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>🔥 Temperature: White smokers&#39; fluids range from 60&deg;C to 90&deg;C. Hot enough for a serious bath!</li>
	<li>⚗️ Chemicals: Full of hydrogen, methane, ammonia, and sulfides, like a buffet for early cells.</li>
	<li>🌍 Earth&#39;s Early Menu: Plenty of carbon dioxide around at that time for assembling life&#39;s building blocks.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>🏡 LUCA&#39;s Home: Hydrothermal vents seem like the likeliest place where LUCA (and life itself) originated.</li>
	<li>❓ Some Mysteries Remain: It&#39;s like a detective novel with the last chapter missing. How did non-living matter evolve into cells? More clues needed!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>🌋 Hydrothermal Vents Today: Visit places like the Galapagos Rift, and you&#39;ll find hydrothermal vents. The weird creatures living there might give you a glimpse of life billions of years ago!</li>
	<li>🎬 Movies &amp; Science Fiction: Ever seen life on alien planets in movies? Some of these fictional ecosystems are inspired by hydrothermal vents on Earth. Talk about life imitating art!</li>
</ul>

LUCA&#39;s lifestyle around hydrothermal vents is like a thrilling scientific mystery. By understanding LUCA, we&#39;re piecing together the story of where we all came from. So next time you&#39;re at a family gathering, remember, we&#39;re all distant cousins of bacteria and archaea. Now, isn&#39;t that something to talk about at the dinner table? 🎉

Happy studying, future biologist! 🧪🔍🧫

Theme A - Unity & diversity

Hydrothermal Vents Tracing Back to LUCA's Evolutionary Origins

Table of content

Meet LUCA - the last universal common ancestor

The evidence & clues

What was LUCA Like?

LUCA's neighborhood

Unlock the Full Content!

Theme A - Unity & diversity

Hydrothermal Vents Tracing Back to LUCA's Evolutionary Origins

Table of content

Meet LUCA - the last universal common ancestor

The evidence & clues

What was LUCA Like?

LUCA's neighborhood

Unlock the Full Content!