abiogenesis

American  

[ey-bahy-oh-jen-uh-sis, ab-ee-oh-] / ˌeɪ baɪ oʊˈdʒɛn ə sɪs, ˌæb i oʊ- /

noun

Biology.

1. the theory that the earliest life forms on earth developed from nonliving matter.

2. Also called spontaneous generation.  the now discredited theory that living organisms can arise spontaneously from inanimate matter.

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abiogenesis British  

/ ˌeɪbaɪəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs, ˌeɪbaɪˈɒdʒɪnɪst /

noun

1. Also called: autogenesis.  the hypothetical process by which living organisms first arose on earth from nonliving matter

2. another name for spontaneous generation Compare biogenesis

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abiogenesis Scientific  

/ ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs /

1. See spontaneous generation

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Other Word Forms

• abiogenetic adjective
• abiogenetical adjective
• abiogenetically adverb
• abiogenist noun

Etymology

Origin of abiogenesis

a- ⁶ + biogenesis; coined by T. H. Huxley in 1870

Compare meaning

How does abiogenesis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• biogenesis vs. abiogenesis

Example Sentences

When the solution was analyzed, it was discovered to contain many of the specific amino acids necessary for life, giving weight to the abiogenesis theory.

From Salon

For instance, Kipping questions the assumption that intelligence emerged at some fixed time after abiogenesis.

From Scientific American

The study could shed light on how early, inorganic proteins progressed until they stopped being inanimate and formed living cells — a process known as abiogenesis.

From Salon

If biology is the extrinsic appearance of conscious subjects other than the inanimate universe itself, then the quest for artificial sentient entities boils down to abiogenesis: the artificial creation of biology from inanimate matter.

From Scientific American

These scientific priorities could be to do with the details of abiogenesis - the transitiion from non-living to 'living' chemical systems and the role of polymers like RNA.

From Scientific American