GEO 303 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Murchison Meteorite, Homochirality, Electric Spark
14 Nov 2016
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Definition: a self-sustaining chemical system capable of darwinian evolution. Long chains and complex arrangements of atoms: metabolism: energy transfer, reproduce and transfer dna to offspring. Deoxyribonucleic acid: large molecule containing information about the function/ activity of a cell; information is transmitted to the next generation: presence of a cellular membrane. Prokaryotes: single-celled, no nucleus, no organelles, primitive, archaea- ancient, extremophiles, ether-bound lipids, bacteria- ester bound lipids, primitive. Eukaryotes: contains membrane bound nucleus, can be single or multicelled, contain organelles. Possible ideas: under reducing conditions at the surface ocean, one might be able to synthesize amino acids from inorganic compounds. Stimulated earth"s early atmosphere with h2o, ch4, nh3, h2 (like jupiter) Added a source of energy in the form of an electric spark. And produced an array of organic molecules, including amino acids. Problems: early atmosphere now thought to be less reducing with mostly. Co2 rather than ch4 and nh3- miller-urey experiments don"t work under these conditions.
