Question: in your opinion, why do you think the first molecule was created?

Matt Bilton answered on 10 Nov 2014:

For me, I think this is a question is about Physics! All sorts of different atoms are made in stars and when the stars explode in supernova explosions, and eventually atoms can react to form molecules. After that, I think it’s about chemistry – because under certain conditions (eg. the right heat and pressure) small molecules can react together to form bigger ones.

Eventually, some really interesting molecules like amino acids, or nucleic acids may be created – just by chemical reactions, maybe on a distant moon or in underwater volcanoes on Earth. Molecules like amino acids and nucleic acids this can be a bit like lego.

Just like if you are given a lego set with the right pieces to make a castle you may eventually build it into a castle – even if you lost the instructions – I think eventually the most complicated and huge molecules, like proteins (amino acids), or RNA (nucleic acids) will be created because the right pieces are already there.