What was discovered?
Rather than coming from within the Earth by escaping from erupting volcanoes, the latest data suggests that Earth's early atmosphere came from outer space!
How was it discovered?
Amazingly accurate instruments can now detect traces of molecules in volcanic gases - krypton and xenon were found inside them, which are typical of meteorites...
... and meteorites come from outer space!
Why is it important?
(Not just to prove the text-books wrong! ;-)
Deep down, we all want to know the early history of our planet, Earth!
What is a molecular signature?
A molecular signature could be thought of in a similar way to your signature... but instead of being a pattern of lines and curves drawn on a paper, it is a pattern of the molecules found that is unique.
Do we have a molecular signature?
Yes! Molecules inside you, such as DNA, RNA and proteins, can be analysed to find out your molecular signature
How can we see our molecular signature?
For DNA and proteins, a technique called gel electrophoresis can make patterns which are unique for every individual on this planet!
For DNA, this is sometimes called our genetic fingerprint.
Does our molecular signature ever change?
Haha! That's a difficult question to answer... we are making new molecules all the time, but some of the molecules inside our cells must stay the same over our life time, otherwise we will get very sick!
Other molecules do change a little bit - that can help us grow up!
The way our DNA turns genes on and off during our development to change which proteins are made in our cells is a fascinating part of genetics.
Can molecules stop us growing old?
In a way, yes, molecules can stop us getting old too quickly. This year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to scientists studying how the enzyme telomerase stops our chromosomes shortening, and so stops the cell growing old.
So everything has a molecular signature?
Yes! And now we can even see the molecular signature from gases in side erupting volcanoes!
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