Conjecture and hypothesis: The importance of reality checks

• David Deamer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2017, 13, 620–624, doi:10.3762/bjoc.13.60

• hydrothermal fields associated with volcanic landmasses. These are considered as alternative hypotheses and the accumulating weight of evidence for each site is described and analyzed. Keywords: hydrothermal fields; hydrothermal vents; origin of life; polymerization by condensation; protocells; Introduction

• volcanic land masses. The water accumulates in hydrothermal fields that undergo cycles of evaporation and refilling. During evaporation, dilute solutes in the water become concentrated films on mineral surfaces. If the solutes can undergo chemical or physical interactions, they will do so in the

• concentrated films. The products will accumulate in the pools when water returns either in the form of precipitation or as fluctuations in water levels related to hot springs or geyser activity. Conjecture: life originated in fresh water hydrothermal fields associated with volcanic land masses, then adapted to