Posted on 03/24/2006 11:50:13 AM PST by JmyBryan
New research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Boston University shows that many of the complex biochemical networks that humans and other advanced organisms depend on for their existence could not have evolved without oxygen.
"You could call it the 'oxygen imperative,' " said LLNL postdoctoral researcher Jason Raymond. "It's clear that you need molecular oxygen to evolve complex life as we know it."
"Researchers have spent decades putting together maps of how the building blocks of life connect to each other," added Daniel Segrè of Boston University, who holds a joint appointment in LLNL's Biosciences Directorate. "It turns out that whole regions in this map may not have existed without oxygen."
Raymond and Segrè used computer simulations to study the effect of oxygen on metabolic networks – the biochemical systems that enable organisms to convert food and nutrients into life-sustaining energy. Their analysis shows that the largest and most complex networks – those found in humans and other advanced organisms – require the presence of molecular oxygen. The research is reported in the March 24 issue of the journal Science.
(Excerpt) Read more at physorg.com ...
Life requires oxygen? Is that what they have discovered?
"Life requires oxygen?"
Not all life does, at least not gaseous oxygen. In fact, for some lifeforms, oxygen is poisonous.
It's a corrosive gas. It probably is responsible for the extinction of millions of species.
"It's clear that you need molecular oxygen to evolve complex life as we know it."
Well this is good news, damn good news, and I'm glad somebody has been looking into it.
Personally, I believe that the theory of evolution is a myth.
In other news: Scientists reveal dirt was necessary for land development.
Firm grasp of the obvious. I learned that back in the 50s in grade school biology.
Anytime I see they've used 'computer simulations' I know that their research is bunk. Computers will only tell you what they've been programmed to.
Liberals and DUmmies for sure.......
Plants, for instance.
Oxygen? Who'd a thunk it? Good thing we "evolved" lungs, I guess.
Not really. Plants aren't killed by oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria, on the other hand, are.
I do not know about its contributions to evolution, but oxygen has contributed to my quality of life.
They discovered that mankind needs oxygen.
Brillant!
I wonder how much that study cost? LOL
Life would be less significant in many ways.
"Life would be less significant in many ways."
And we'd all have that strange, bluish tint, just before we all passed out cold, never to awaken again.
At current levels, I agree. However, I think that if the oxygen content of the atmosphere were to rise considerably, they would not be able to get rid of it fast enough. That would kill them. Then again, at those kinds of atmospheric oxygen levels their biggest problem would be fire, not a shutdown in respiration.
So... I guess I'll stand corrected. %-)
Could also be that the blueprints called for oxygen as a major component.
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