Professor Thomas Henning from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany has explained in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences how he believes this process came about.
The theory is RNA, a chemical in our bodies, which is seen as a simpler version of DNA, was created in rockpools.
Prof Henning told the Times: “RNA is always discussed as a potential precursor for life.
“Today’s life is charcterised by DNA, but DNA is complex. RNA has the functions needed at the beginning of life.”
Four billion years ago, the Earth was a lot more dangerous than it is now with meteorites colliding with our planet on a far more common basis.
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These meteorites provided the Earth with molecules that were necessary to create RNA.
The chemicals would attempt to form long chains named polymers, which would be able to do this by finding rockpools that would be filled up during dry seasons either by rain or tides.
The water would also protect the molecules from ultraviolet radiation, whilst at the same time the pool drying out would concentrate the chemicals in to a stronger “soup”, unattainable in undersea vents.
Prof Henning added: “As soon as you have warm ponds, in a relatively short period these RNA strands develop.”
In this case a relatively short period would be between 200-300 million years.
During the Earth’s history, a string of chemicals folded over and attracted other chemicals in to an identical string, making a copy of itself.
The professor’s paper claims RNA could be born out of rockpools, and if possible how this could of led to life on our planet.
Prof Henning goes on to say that if this process for life is proven it is reasonably likely that life would have formed on other planets.
He said: “If we can show this is a robust process, where life can form relatively easily under these conditions, then I would say that the probability of life forming elsewhere is quite high.”