Aromatic molecules represent fundamental building blocks in prebiotic chemistry and are contemplated as vital precursors to DNA and RNA nitrogen bases.
prebiotic chemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Titan
Quantum Tunneling Could Enable Proton Transfer Reactions on Titan
The surface of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, is rich in organics and is often suggested to model early Earth environments.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
The Spark Of Life: Discharge Physics As A Key Aspect Of The Miller–Urey Experiment
The Miller–Urey experiment demonstrated the possibility of producing biomolecules from the chemical components of the primordial atmosphere, using an electric discharge.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
A Surface Hydrothermal Source of Nitriles and Isonitriles
Giant impacts can generate transient hydrogen-rich atmospheres, reducing atmospheric carbon. The reduced carbon will form hazes that rain out onto the surface and can become incorporated into the crust. Once […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Press Release
Do We Have Cosmic Dust To Thank For Life On Earth?
Before life existed on Earth, there had to be chemistry to form organic molecules from the chemical elements nitrogen, sulphur, carbon and phosphorus.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Status Report
Cosmic Dust Fertilization Of Glacial Prebiotic Chemistry On Early Earth
Earth’s surface is deficient in available forms of many elements considered limiting for prebiotic chemistry. In contrast, many extraterrestrial rocky objects are rich in these same elements. Limiting prebiotic ingredients […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Emergence Of Catalytic Function In Prebiotic Information-coding Polymers
Life as we know it relies on the interplay between catalytic activity and information processing carried out by biological polymers.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Missions & Hardware, NASA Astrobiology Program, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Titan, Tricorders & Sensors
Dragonfly Astrobiology Mission To Titan Can Proceed With Final Mission Design Work
NASA’s Dragonfly mission has been authorized to proceed with work on final mission design and fabrication – known as Phase C – during fiscal year (FY) 2024. The agency is […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
The Nature Of The Spark Is A Pivotal Element In The Design Of A Miller–Urey Experiment
Miller and Urey applied electric sparks to a reducive mixture of CH4, NH3, and water to obtain a complex organic mixture including biomolecules.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Impact events, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Origin Of Life Molecules In The Atmosphere After Big Impacts On The Early Earth
The origin of life on Earth would benefit from a prebiotic atmosphere that produced nitriles, like HCN, which enable ribonucleotide synthesis. However, geochemical evidence suggests that Hadean air was relatively […]