Jeewanu

Jeewanu (singular) or Jeewanuvada (plural) are hypothetical particles proposed by the Indian scientist Krishna Bahadur in 1966. Bahadur theorized that these self-replicating particles, composed of organic and inorganic matter, represented a possible precursor to the origin of life on Earth.

Bahadur produced jeewanu by exposing a sterilized mixture of simple inorganic chemicals, such as ferrous chloride, ammonium molybdate, and formaldehyde, to sunlight. He claimed that these conditions caused the formation of microscopic structures that resembled cells and displayed certain cell-like properties, including growth, division, and metabolic activity.

The scientific community has largely dismissed Bahadur's claims. The observed phenomena are often attributed to coacervates or other non-living chemical aggregates that can self-assemble under specific conditions. While coacervates can display some cell-like behaviors, they lack the complex machinery and genetic information necessary for true life.

Despite the lack of widespread acceptance, the concept of jeewanu has remained a subject of discussion in some circles, particularly those interested in alternative theories of biogenesis. The research surrounding jeewanu serves as a reminder of the challenges in defining life and recreating its origins in a laboratory setting. Further research into complex chemical systems may eventually shed more light on the processes that led to the emergence of the first living cells.