Solvated-electron production using cyanocuprates is compatible with the UV-environment on a Hadean–Archaean Earth

Zoe R. Todd; Albert C. Fahrenbach; Christopher J. Magnani; Sukrit Ranjan; Anders Björkbom; Jack W. Szostak; Dimitar D. Sasselov

doi:10.1039/c7cc07748c

Solvated-electron production using cyanocuprates is compatible with the UV-environment on a Hadean–Archaean Earth

Chemical Communications ◽

10.1039/c7cc07748c ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (9) ◽

pp. 1121-1124 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Zoe R. Todd ◽

Albert C. Fahrenbach ◽

Christopher J. Magnani ◽

Sukrit Ranjan ◽

Anders Björkbom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Earth ◽

Solvated Electron ◽

Electron Production ◽

Prebiotic Molecules

Simple sugars necessary for the synthesis of prebiotic molecules can be generated from UV-driven cyanocuprate photoprocessing under conditions consistent with those expected on the surface of the early Earth.

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Comets: Potential Sources of Prebiotic Molecules for the Early Earth

Lectures in Astrobiology - Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics ◽

10.1007/10913406_9 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 289-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Didier Despois ◽

Hervé Cottin

Keyword(s):

Early Earth ◽

Potential Sources ◽

Prebiotic Molecules

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Were micrometeorites a source of prebiotic molecules on the early Earth?

Advances in Space Research ◽

10.1016/s0273-1177(99)80071-4 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 113-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

M Maurette ◽

A Brack ◽

G Kurat ◽

M Perreau ◽

C Engrand

Keyword(s):

Early Earth ◽

Prebiotic Molecules

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Meteor Storms as a Window on the Delivery of Extraterrestrial Organic Matter to the Early Earth

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900193416 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 213 ◽

pp. 281-288

Author(s):

P. Jenniskens

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Origin Of Life ◽

Prebiotic Chemistry ◽

Early Earth ◽

Rarefied Flow ◽

Physical Conditions ◽

Prebiotic Molecules ◽

The Origin Of Life ◽

Recent Insight

The unique rarefied flow and flash heating in meteors creates physical conditions that can change exogenous organic matter into unique prebiotic molecules. with the exception of rare giant comet impacts, most infalling matter at the time of the origin of life was deposited in the atmosphere during the meteor phase. Much new data has been obtained from observations in the Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign; a series of NASA and USAF sponsored Astrobiology missions that explored the 1998–2002 Leonid meteor storms. Here, we provide an overview of some of this recent insight, which provides a framework in which the prebiotic chemistry can be studied.

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The Role of Glycerol and Its Derivatives in the Biochemistry of Living Organisms, and Their Prebiotic Origin and Significance in the Evolution of Life

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11010086 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 86

Author(s):

Maheen Gull ◽

Matthew A. Pasek

Keyword(s):

Prebiotic Synthesis ◽

Early Earth ◽

Origin And Evolution ◽

Evolution Of Life ◽

Prebiotic Molecules ◽

Prebiotic Syntheses ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Glycerol Nucleic Acid ◽

Synthesis Reactions

The emergence and evolution of prebiotic biomolecules on the early Earth remain a question that is considered crucial to understanding the chemistry of the origin of life. Amongst prebiotic molecules, glycerol is significant due to its ubiquity in biochemistry. In this review, we discuss the significance of glycerol and its various derivatives in biochemistry, their plausible roles in the origin and evolution of early cell membranes, and significance in the biochemistry of extremophiles, followed by their prebiotic origin on the early Earth and associated catalytic processes that led to the origin of these compounds. We also discuss various scenarios for the prebiotic syntheses of glycerol and its derivates and evaluate these to determine their relevance to early Earth biochemistry and geochemistry, and recapitulate the utilization of various minerals (including clays), condensation agents, and solvents that could have led to the successful prebiotic genesis of these biomolecules. Furthermore, important prebiotic events such as meteoritic delivery and prebiotic synthesis reactions under astrophysical conditions are also discussed. Finally, we have also highlighted some novel features of glycerol, including glycerol nucleic acid (GNA), in the origin and evolution of the life.

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