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| Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) |
The last universal common ancestor (LUCA) or also known as the last universal ancestor (LUA) is the most recent population of organisms from all living organisms on Earth have a common connection (in other words, a common descent).
LUCA must not be confused with the first living organism on the Earth, but the most common ancestor of all life forms on Earth. It is one of the earliest life forms on Earth.
LUCA is supposed to be a single-cell, bacterium-like organism. It is estimated to lived some four billion years ago, a few million years after the first living organism on Earth, when Earth was a mere 560 million years old.
In 2016, some finding has escalated the debate between those who believe life began in some extreme condition, such as in deep-sea vents or the flanks of volcanoes, and others who favour a more normal setting, such as the “warm little pond” proposed by Darwin.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/science/last-universal-ancestor.html
Image Credit: Bhavana Jagat
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