Scientists at the Scripps Institute in the United States have discovered a reasonable pathway to explain how primitive cells form and achieve their multiple functions. A study published online on February 29th in the journal Chemistry showed that a chemical process called phosphorylation (adding phosphate groups to molecules) occurs much earlier than previously thought. This leads to the ability of more complex double stranded primitive cells to divide in multiple functions, laying the foundation for life. About 4 billion years ago, the Earth was nurturing conditions suitable for life. But there are too many mysteries inside. Scientists believe that primitive cells are formed from fatty acids, but it has always been unclear how primitive cells transition from single chain phosphate to double chain phosphate, which makes them more stable and capable of undergoing chemical reactions. The team hopes to imitate the environment that existed before the emergence of life this time. They first identified three possible mixtures of chemicals that could produce vesicles, lipid spherical structures similar to primitive cells. The chemicals used include fatty acids and glycerol. Next, they observed the reactions of these mixtures and added additional chemicals to create new mixtures. Cool and heat these solutions overnight, then promote chemical reactions by shaking them. Researchers use fluorescent dyes to examine the mixture and determine if it has formed vesicles. They changed the pH value and composition ratio to better understand how these factors affect vesicle formation, and also analyzed the effects of metal ions and temperature on vesicle stability. It has been proven that fatty acids and glycerol may have undergone phosphorylation to produce more stable double stranded structures. In particular, glycerol derived fatty acid esters may lead to different tolerances of vesicles to metal ions, temperature, and pH values, which is a crucial step in evolutionary diversification. Researchers point out that this new discovery helps people better understand the chemical environment of early Earth, in order to reveal the origin of life and how life evolved on early Earth. Scientists studying the origin of life already know that primitive cells are the precursors of cells during the emergence of life. But how did simple primitive cells emerge and become diverse, ultimately forming life on Earth? And are the chemical types discovered on early Earth similar to the needs of life today? Now they have found that phosphates were incorporated into cell-like structures earlier than previously thought, laying the foundation for the emergence of life. It is by revealing how primitive cells were formed that scientists have a better understanding of the "truth" behind early evolution. (Lai Xin She)