TOPIC 1: Beginnings of Life: Myths and Sacred Origins
Symbolic Beginnings of Life
1. From the Waters
- Life emerges from primordial waters or oceans.
- Examples:
Egypt: Nun → primeval waters.
Mesopotamia: Apsu (freshwater) + Tiamat (saltwater) → first gods.
Philippines: Sea goddess & sky god → world formed.
2. From Sky and Earth
- Life begins when sky and earth are separated.
- Examples:
Māori: Rangi (Sky Father) & Papa (Earth Mother) separated by children → light
& life.
Philippines: Bathala creates life after defeating rivals.
3. From the Body of a Giant or God
- Life/world formed from divine being’s body.
- Examples:
Norse: Ymir’s body → earth, sky, seas.
China: Pangu’s body → mountains, rivers, stars.
4. From Clay or Dust
- Humans shaped from earth/clay.\
- Examples:
Greek: Prometheus molds humans from clay.
Yoruba (Nigeria): Obatala forms humans; Olodumare breathes life.
Philippines: Bathala creates first humans from bamboo.
Beginning of Time
- Time is often linked with creation, not measured in years.
1. Before Time Existed
- Primordial void, darkness, nothingness.
- Examples:
Greek: Chaos → Gaia, Tartarus, Eros.
Egypt: Nun → Atum creates light & land.
Philippines: Sky (Bathala) + sea (Aman Sinaya) → creation.
-
2. Cyclical Time
- Time is a cycle of birth, destruction, and rebirth.
, - Examples:
Hinduism: Kalpas; creation-sustaining-destruction cycles.
Maya: Baktuns; fifth world.
Norse: Fire & ice → Ragnarök → renewal.
3. Dawn of Light
- Time begins with the first appearance of light.
Pre-Civilization Beliefs
1. Animism - Spirits in animals, rivers, trees, rocks
2. Earth-Diver Myths - Creature/divine being retrieves mud → land
3. Emergence Myths - Life from underground/caves
4. Dreamtime (Australian, Aboriginal) - Spirits shape land & life through song/dance
Religion Creation Interpretation
Christianity God created in 6 days & rested on 7th Life is sacred; humans are stewards
(Sabbath); Adam & Eve
Islam Allah forms Adam from clay Unity under one God; life is sacred
Hinduism Cyclical universe (Brahma, Vishnu, Life from Brahman; cosmic order
Shiva)
Buddhism Dependent origination & rebirth No single creation; focus on liberation
Judaism God creates humans in His image Life is sacred; ethical responsibility
Taoism Life arises from Tao Self-generating; harmony with nature
Sikhism Divine will (hukam) All life from one divine essence
Shinto Kami shape land & life Creation linked to nature & spirits
, TOPIC 2: Origin of Life
Theory Explains Limitations Evidence
Abiogenesis Organic molecules from How non-living → Miller-Urey, Fox
inorganic compounds self-replicating cells microspheres
Hydrothermal Stable, energy-rich Molecules surviving Extremophiles, lab
Vent environment for early extreme conditions simulations
chemistry
Panspermia How life arrived on Earth Original origin unknown Meteorites, interstellar
from space compounds
RNA World Molecular bridge from Formation of first RNA Ribozymes, lab RNA
chemistry → first cells strands replication
Summary:
- Abiogenesis - Life from non-living matter (chemical evolution).
- Hydrothermal Vent - Life in deep-sea vents (energy + minerals).
- Panspermia -Life came from space (meteorites/comets).
- RNA World - RNA molecules started life → DNA + proteins → cells.
TOPIC 3: Characteristics of Life
Biology - Study of living things and their processes.
- Explores morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution.
- from cells → ecosystems.
- Aristotle’s observations; term “biology” = bios (life) + logos (study).
Key processes of life:
1. Metabolism - Use energy for survival
2. Homeostasis - Maintain internal stability
3. Growth & Development - Increase in size or complexity
4. Reproduction - Create offspring
5. Response to Stimuli - React to environment
6. Adaptation & Evolution - Change over generations to survive.
Symbolic Beginnings of Life
1. From the Waters
- Life emerges from primordial waters or oceans.
- Examples:
Egypt: Nun → primeval waters.
Mesopotamia: Apsu (freshwater) + Tiamat (saltwater) → first gods.
Philippines: Sea goddess & sky god → world formed.
2. From Sky and Earth
- Life begins when sky and earth are separated.
- Examples:
Māori: Rangi (Sky Father) & Papa (Earth Mother) separated by children → light
& life.
Philippines: Bathala creates life after defeating rivals.
3. From the Body of a Giant or God
- Life/world formed from divine being’s body.
- Examples:
Norse: Ymir’s body → earth, sky, seas.
China: Pangu’s body → mountains, rivers, stars.
4. From Clay or Dust
- Humans shaped from earth/clay.\
- Examples:
Greek: Prometheus molds humans from clay.
Yoruba (Nigeria): Obatala forms humans; Olodumare breathes life.
Philippines: Bathala creates first humans from bamboo.
Beginning of Time
- Time is often linked with creation, not measured in years.
1. Before Time Existed
- Primordial void, darkness, nothingness.
- Examples:
Greek: Chaos → Gaia, Tartarus, Eros.
Egypt: Nun → Atum creates light & land.
Philippines: Sky (Bathala) + sea (Aman Sinaya) → creation.
-
2. Cyclical Time
- Time is a cycle of birth, destruction, and rebirth.
, - Examples:
Hinduism: Kalpas; creation-sustaining-destruction cycles.
Maya: Baktuns; fifth world.
Norse: Fire & ice → Ragnarök → renewal.
3. Dawn of Light
- Time begins with the first appearance of light.
Pre-Civilization Beliefs
1. Animism - Spirits in animals, rivers, trees, rocks
2. Earth-Diver Myths - Creature/divine being retrieves mud → land
3. Emergence Myths - Life from underground/caves
4. Dreamtime (Australian, Aboriginal) - Spirits shape land & life through song/dance
Religion Creation Interpretation
Christianity God created in 6 days & rested on 7th Life is sacred; humans are stewards
(Sabbath); Adam & Eve
Islam Allah forms Adam from clay Unity under one God; life is sacred
Hinduism Cyclical universe (Brahma, Vishnu, Life from Brahman; cosmic order
Shiva)
Buddhism Dependent origination & rebirth No single creation; focus on liberation
Judaism God creates humans in His image Life is sacred; ethical responsibility
Taoism Life arises from Tao Self-generating; harmony with nature
Sikhism Divine will (hukam) All life from one divine essence
Shinto Kami shape land & life Creation linked to nature & spirits
, TOPIC 2: Origin of Life
Theory Explains Limitations Evidence
Abiogenesis Organic molecules from How non-living → Miller-Urey, Fox
inorganic compounds self-replicating cells microspheres
Hydrothermal Stable, energy-rich Molecules surviving Extremophiles, lab
Vent environment for early extreme conditions simulations
chemistry
Panspermia How life arrived on Earth Original origin unknown Meteorites, interstellar
from space compounds
RNA World Molecular bridge from Formation of first RNA Ribozymes, lab RNA
chemistry → first cells strands replication
Summary:
- Abiogenesis - Life from non-living matter (chemical evolution).
- Hydrothermal Vent - Life in deep-sea vents (energy + minerals).
- Panspermia -Life came from space (meteorites/comets).
- RNA World - RNA molecules started life → DNA + proteins → cells.
TOPIC 3: Characteristics of Life
Biology - Study of living things and their processes.
- Explores morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution.
- from cells → ecosystems.
- Aristotle’s observations; term “biology” = bios (life) + logos (study).
Key processes of life:
1. Metabolism - Use energy for survival
2. Homeostasis - Maintain internal stability
3. Growth & Development - Increase in size or complexity
4. Reproduction - Create offspring
5. Response to Stimuli - React to environment
6. Adaptation & Evolution - Change over generations to survive.
