Hydrogen sulfide and methane are common near the vents. The polymers formed more complex structures Protobionts, the hypothetical ancestor of cells, are conglomerations of abiotically produced organic polymers. Some have catalytic activity, beginnings of metabolism Microspheres form by adding water to abiotically formed proteins. Some have an electrical potential across their surfaces, like cells Can absorb materials from their surroundings, selective permeability Lots of little steps to cells, but first cells were procaryotic. Stromalites are rocklike columns of layers of cells, usually cyanobacteria.
Sediments settle around the cells and mineralize.
New cells grow on top. Some are several billion years old. Molecular reproduction is critical. RNA probably formed first and was self-replication. RNA in ribozymes is catalytic, probably catalyzed own replication.