Structure is the key defining trait of life. Structure is because life uses normal atoms; same as, the rest of the universe. Structure is because- contrary to popular belief- the processes of life do not violate any laws of nature; same as, the rest of the universe. Structure is because- even though they use the same atoms- what separates inanimate matter from Life is Life's molecular structure.

What has hindered origin of life researchers for all this time is picking the wrong level of Life's organization- ie structure- to study. Some aimed too low trying to figure out how RNA formed from simple compounds. Others aimed too high trying to make protocells from simple compounds. The problem with both of these strategies is their focus on simple compounds on the assumption that that was all there was on earth back then. What they needed to do was look for slightly more complex compounds. Compounds that are: spontaneously formed in nature; are ubiquitous; are modular; easily link up to each other; when united spontaneously form structures; and most importantly can use themselves as a starting source to build different and more complex structures. What I have just described and which are at the proper level of Life's organization are Amino Acids!

Structure is, because proteins can do the things they do from the shapes they take and not just from the chemical properties of their individual amino acids. Amino acids mostly help to form the final shape of the protein; for example, amino acids that are hydrophobic become part of the inner structure of the proteins. But the one feature that unites all amino acids is a common arrangement of atoms. This arrangement, or structure, allows them to be joined into chains; again, structure not chemical properties is more important.

The structure of the protein is what DNA and RNA code for. DNA nor RNA give instructions- as in a computer program- on how the proteins should behave or tell them what products to produce. DNA and RNA are structures that function as templates- which are structures too- that determine the amino acid sequence of proteins; therefore making proteins of a particular structure. A structure that causes them to make a certain product or behave a certain way. Proteins, with their structure, allow life to do what life does. Proteins, with their structure, are what give life its shape. Proteins, with their structure, facilitate chemical reactions for life. Proteins, with their structure, give membranes their function.

The protein that copies RNA is different in the different branches of life. Bacteria, fungus, and humans all have proteins that copy RNA. These proteins perform the same function; copy RNA and make messenger-RNA so that proteins can be made from that RNA template. Each one of these different life forms has a version of this protein. The amazing thing about these different proteins, that perform the same function, is that their DNA that codes for them are vastly different; up to 75% different. The proteins that are produced are composed of vastly different sequences of amino acids. In some cases up 75% of the amino acids are different. What is the same and allows them to perform the exact same function is their shape; their structure. The amino acids ability to form repeating structures allows these vastly different sequences to form the same structure and form the same reactive regions. That is why structure is more important than energy, because it is their structure that allows these different proteins to perform the same task.

Membranes and their proteins keep the proteins inside the cell separated from the rest of the universe. Proteins are able to do these things and much, much more thanks to their shape; their structure. The flow of energy in living systems is more complex than in inanimate matter; but, this is due solely to life's more complex structure. The flow of energy does not drive the chemical reactions necessary for life. It is the shape and structure of proteins that drive the flow of energy in, out, and within the cells of living systems. The flow of energy and chemicals, within the Krebs cycle, are just byproducts of the proteins within the mitochondria and chloroplasts. Trying to figure out how life started by just analyzing the flow of energy and chemical byproducts within the Krebs cycle without analyzing its proteins; is like trying to tell the year, make, and model of a car by just analyzing its exhaust. It just cannot be done.

Even if you knew the amount of fuel that is not combusted by a particular car. You would have to know what brand of fuel the driver put in the car. You would have to know if he ever used a different brand of fuel, even just once and how much of it. You would have to know if the car is perfectly tuned or not, and if not how out of tune. You would also need to know: how long the car was running before the sample was taken, what was the ambient humidity and temperature; And, after figuring all of that out, you still could not know- with any real certainty- what car made that exhaust.

By explaining Emergent Chemical Evolution I describe a mechanism that would lead to the emergence of these structures. And it is the interaction of these structures that would eventually lead to the emergence of life, with no protocells in sight.