Alexander Ivanovich Oparin

Oparin, Alexander Ivanovich (1894– ), Russian biochemist whose hypothesis on the origin of life became rationale for others' research. Presuming that earth's original atmosphere contained no nitrogen or oxygen but instead consisted of ammonia, hydrogen, methane, and water in a gaseous state, he theorized that life formed spontaneously in this type of atmosphere and developed as we know it today. He wrote about his theory in Origin of Life (1936).

See also: Biochemistry.