Evolution of the cell's mechanical function and design

到地球只有10亿岁(35亿年前)的时候，有迹象表明生物过程已经很好地建立起来了。在这个标记的几亿年内，单个细胞和细丝已经出现，它们的化石遗骸保存在澳大利亚和南非。20亿年前，许多被认为是现代蓝藻前体的例子出现了，就像在加拿大和其他地方发现的含有微化石的岩石中可以看到的那样。这项研究方案涉及这些早期生命形式的组成、设计和机械操作，涉及以下问题：

By the time that the Earth was just a billion years old (3.5 billion years ago), there is indication that biological processes were already well established. Within a few hundred million years of this mark, individual cells and filaments had appeared, their fossilized remains preserved in Australia and South Africa. Two billion years ago, many examples of what are thought to be the precursors of modern cyanobacteria were present, as can be seen in microfossil-bearing rock found at locations in Canada and elsewhere. This research proposal deals with the components, design and mechanical operation of these early life forms, addressing questions such as: