Origin of microbial life hypothesis: A gel cytoplasm lacking a bilayer membrane, with infrared radiation producing exclusion zone (EZ) water, hydrogen as an energy source and thermosynthesis for bioenergetics

► The first cells may not have required a cytoplasmic membrane. ► Hydrogen was a possible universal energy source. ► Thermosynthesis was a possible bioenergetic mechanism. ► Infrared (IR) radiation region may have produced an exclusion zone (EZ).