The atmosphere of the primitive Earth and the prebiotic synthesis of amino acids

1974 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Prebiotic Synthesis ◽  
Primitive Earth

Comets and Life on the Primitive Earth

1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 97-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Orò ◽  
Cristiano B. Cosmovici
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Prebiotic Synthesis ◽  
External Source ◽  
Primitive Earth ◽  
Molecular Precursors ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Biochemical Compounds ◽  
Comet Halley ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cometary Origin

AbstractComets may have contributed substantial amounts of water, volatiles and organic precursors such as HCN for the synthesis of biochemical compounds on the primitive Earth. This suggestion followed closely the prebiotic synthesis of adenine, purines and amino acids from HCN. Recent studies on the terrestrial heavy noble gases provide evidence that comets are the principal external source of Earth’s volatiles. During the encounter of comet Halley strong jets of CN, C2, C3and NH2were measured from Earth observatories, and by spacecraft mass spectrometry HCN, formaldehyde, adenine and many other organic compounds were detected, except amino acids. Obviously the latter require liquid water for their formation. Therefore upon capture of comets by the Earth, and melting of the frozen water, the synthesis of most biochemical compounds could take place readily. The detection of water, HCN and other organics of cometary origin after the impact of Comet SL-9 with Jupiter demonstrated the capability of survival of these molecules even after catastrophic events. Thus on the Earth HCN could be converted into purines, cyanacetylene, after hydration and condensation with urea, into pyrimidines, and formaldehyde into monosaccharides. In the presence of phosphates, which have been detected in cometary IDPs, nucleotides could also be synthesized. In conclusion, comets probably provided the necessary molecular precursors for the generation of life on the Earth.

scholarly journals Prebiotic synthesis of aminooxazoline-5′-phosphates in water by oxidative phosphorylation

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (36) ◽  
pp. 4919-4921 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Fernández-García ◽  
N. M. Grefenstette ◽  
M. W. Powner
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽  
Prebiotic Synthesis ◽  
Strecker Synthesis ◽  
Novel Strategy

A novel strategy for aminooxazoline-5′-phosphate synthesis in water from prebiotic feedstocks, which is generationally linked to Strecker synthesis of proteinogenic amino acids.

Prebiotic synthesis of carboxylic acids, amino acids and nucleic acid bases from formamide under photochemical conditions⋆

2017 ◽  
Vol 132 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Botta ◽  
Bruno Mattia Bizzarri ◽  
Davide Piccinino ◽  
Teresa Fornaro ◽  
John Robert Brucato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Carboxylic Acids ◽  
Prebiotic Synthesis ◽  
Nucleic Acid Bases

scholarly journals Phosphorus in prebiotic chemistry

2006 ◽  
Vol 361 (1474) ◽  
pp. 1743-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Prebiotic Chemistry ◽  
Prebiotic Synthesis ◽  
Significant Source ◽  
Primitive Earth ◽  
Chemical Systems ◽  
Phosphorus Containing ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Low Solubility

The prebiotic synthesis of phosphorus-containing compounds—such as nucleotides and polynucleotides—would require both a geologically plausible source of the element and pathways for its incorporation into chemical systems on the primitive Earth. The mineral apatite, which is the only significant source of phosphate on Earth, has long been thought to be problematical in this respect due to its low solubility and reactivity. However, in the last decade or so, at least two pathways have been demonstrated which would circumvent these perceived problems. In addition, recent results would seem to suggest an additional, extraterrestrial source of reactive phosphorus. It appears that the ‘phosphorus problem’ is no longer the stumbling block which it was once thought to be.

Laboratory simulation of UV irradiation from the Sun on amino acids. I: irradiation of tyrosine

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Scappini ◽  
F. Casadei ◽  
R. Zamboni ◽  
S. Monti ◽  
P. Giorgianni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Uv Irradiation ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Laboratory Simulation ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Primitive Earth ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Building Capability ◽  
Primordial Life

AbstractThe effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on water solutions of tyrosine (HO—C6H4—CH2—CHNH2—COOH) have been investigated using a Xe lamp in the region 200–800 nm. This is a step in laboratory simulation towards reproducing the action of the Solar radiation on the building blocks of life, specifically α-amino acids, in the primitive Earth anoxic conditions. Results are presented showing the photostability of tyrosine against different UV doses. Degradation products partly maintain life building capability and partly do not. A tendency towards structure complexification was observed. The analysis of the irradiated tyrosine solutions was conducted using various spectroscopic and analytic techniques. The laboratory results are discussed in the light of a primordial life-emerging scenario.

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