Rainwater may have aided the formation of early cells on Earth

New research suggests that rainwater may have played a key role in the formation of early cells on Earth. Scientists found that rainwater can stabilize protocells, preventing them from fusing and allowing for the retention of genetic material. Previous studies indicated that coacervates, droplets formed from organic molecules, struggled with maintaining distinct genetic sequences due to their tendency to fuse. The introduction of rainwater, which is free of ions, appears to create a protective layer around these droplets, enhancing their stability. This discovery shifts the understanding of how early life forms could have evolved. It highlights the importance of environmental conditions, like rainwater, in supporting the development of complex cellular structures necessary for life.