"How life begins remains an unsolved question. One key component might be RNA, a molecular cousin of DNA found in every form of life on Earth, and now scientists say they have shown how it could have formed on our planet eons ago. But not everyone is convinced, and RNA is possibly just one of many molecules that could give rise to life on different worlds."
"In their experiment, they showed that, following a large impact on Earth, RNA and subsequently life could have formed. The steps the team has outlined suggest that RNA is an intrinsic outcome of planets everywhere, says Steven Benner of the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME) in Florida, a co-author of the paper. And that, in turn, would imply that there's life everywhere."
"Unlike proteins, which carry out most chemistry in modern cells, and DNA, which stores genetic information, RNA can do a bit of bothone reason it has long been considered a promising candidate for life's first molecule. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today."
Conditions on Earth about 4.3 billion years ago could have produced transient heating and drying cycles after large impacts. Heating and drying of aqueous mixtures containing ribose sugar, nucleobases, a reactive phosphorus source, and borate minerals can enable formation of RNA. RNA combines catalytic activity and information storage, enabling both chemistry and heredity, which makes it a plausible initial biomolecule. If RNA formation is an intrinsic planetary outcome, the likelihood of life elsewhere increases. Alternative prebiotic chemistries remain possible and not all scientists accept RNA as the only pathway to life.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]