Origin of Life in the Oceans

The oceans are teeming with life, but how did it get there? In order to study life in the oceans, you will first need to explore how life began, the basic characteristics of living organisms, and the different marine species in existence. Many scientists believe that the basic components of life, such as amino acids, were formed after the Big Bang when conditions were favorable for this type of reaction to occur. It is theorized that less complex molecules came together to form more complex molecules until ocean life as we know it evolved into being.

Essential Questions

• What are the seven characteristics of life?
• How did Stanley Miller show that amino acids, the basic components of life, may have first been formed?
• How many known marine species are in existence?
• What is the largest marine mammal?