In the beginning, there were bacteria… [A] nearly universal assumption is that all subsequent life descended from the original life form through a continuous chain of ancestor-descendant pairs. This assumption looks good because all living organisms share biochemical traits. It… — David M. Raup Copy Share Image
![“In the beginning, there were bacteria… [A] nearly universal assumption is that all subsequent life descended from the original life form through a continuous chain of ancestor-descendant pairs. This assumption looks good because all living organisms share biochemical traits. It is conceivable, of…” quote by David M. Raup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d27/david-m-raup-33751_ancestor_in-the-beginning-there-were-bacteria-a-n_1413265.jpg)