For example , Martin and Russel show that cell membranes separating contents from the environment and self-organization of self-contained redox reactions are the most conserved attributes of living things . For example Martin and Russel show that physical compartmentation by cell membranes from the environment and self-organization of self-contained redox reactions are the most conserved attributes of living things , and they argue therefore that inorganic matter with such attributes would be life 's most likely last common ancestor .