The Origin and Early Evolution of Life: Prebiotic Chemistry of Biomolecules

The Origin and Early Evolution of Life: Prebiotic Chemistry of Biomolecules

Author: Michele Fiore

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2019-10-29

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 3039216066

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Studying the origin of life is one of man’s greatest achievements over the last sixty years. The fields of interest encompassed by this quest are multiple and interdisciplinary: chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, mathematics, geology but also statistics, atmospheric science, meteorology, oceanography, and astrophysics. Recent scientific discoveries, such as water on Mars and the existence of super-Earths with atmospheres similar to primordial Earth, have pushed researchers to simulate prebiotic conditions in explaining the abiotic formation of molecules essential to life. This collection of articles offers an overview of recent discoveries in the field of prebiotic chemistry of biomolecules, their formation and selection, and the evolution of complex chemical systems.


Prebiotic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution of Nucleic Acids

Prebiotic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution of Nucleic Acids

Author: César Menor-Salván

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-08-01

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 3319935844

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The origin of life is one of the biggest unsolved scientific questions. This book deals with the formation and first steps of the chemical evolution of nucleic acids, including the chemical roots behind the origin of their components from the simplest sources in a geochemical context. Chemical evolution encompasses the chemical processes and interactions conducive to self-assembly and supramolecular organization, leading to an increase of complexity and the emergence of life. The book starts with a personal account of the pioneering work of Stanley Miller and Jeffrey Bada on the Chemistry of Origins of Life and how the development of organic chemistry beginning in the 19th century led to the emergence of the field of prebiotic chemistry, situated at the frontier between organic, geo- and biochemistry. It then continues reviewing in tutorial manner current central topics regarding the organization of nucleic acids: the origin of nucleobases and nucleosides, their phosphorylation and polymerization and ultimately, their self-assembly and supramolecular organization at the inception of life.


Chemical Synthetic Biology

Chemical Synthetic Biology

Author: Pier Luigi Luisi

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-02-10

Total Pages: 269

ISBN-13: 1119990300

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Chemistry plays a very important role in the emerging field of synthetic biology. In particular, chemical synthetic biology is concerned with the synthesis of chemical structures, such as proteins, that do not exist in nature. With contributions from leading international experts, Chemical Synthetic Biology shows how chemistry underpins synthetic biology. The book is an essential guide to this fascinating new field, and will find a place on the bookshelves of researchers and students working in synthetic chemistry, synthetic and molecular biology, bioengineering, systems biology, computational genomics, and bioinformatics.


The Search for Life's Origins

The Search for Life's Origins

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1990-02-01

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 0309042461

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The field of planetary biology and chemical evolution draws together experts in astronomy, paleobiology, biochemistry, and space science who work together to understand the evolution of living systems. This field has made exciting discoveries that shed light on how organic compounds came together to form self-replicating molecules-the origin of life. This volume updates that progress and offers recommendations on research programs-including an ambitious effort centered on Mars-to advance the field over the next 10 to 15 years. The book presents a wide range of data and research results on these and other issues: The biogenic elements and their interaction in the interstellar clouds and in solar nebulae. Early planetary environments and the conditions that lead to the origin of life. The evolution of cellular and multicellular life. The search for life outside the solar system. This volume will become required reading for anyone involved in the search for life's beginnings-including exobiologists, geoscientists, planetary scientists, and U.S. space and science policymakers.


Purines, Pyrimidines and Nucleotides and the Chemistry of Nucleic Acids

Purines, Pyrimidines and Nucleotides and the Chemistry of Nucleic Acids

Author: T. L. V. Ulbricht

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2016-06-03

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 1483225267

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Purines, Pyrimidines and Nucleotides and the Chemistry of Nucleic Acids is a five-chapter text that presents a simple introduction to the basic chemistry of purines and pyrimidines and their derivatives. The opening chapters describe the general properties, reactions, and synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. The next chapter deals with the structure, synthesis, mechanism, and stereochemistry of nucleosides and their analogues. These topics are followed by a discussion on the reactions and biosynthesis of nucleotides. The final chapter focuses on the structure and biosynthesis of DNA, RNA, and other nucleic acids. This book is of value to organic chemists and biochemists, as well as researchers in the allied fields.


The First Cell

The First Cell

Author: Ulrich C. Schreiber

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-06-05

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13: 3030453812

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This book introduces a fresh perspective on the conditions for the genesis of the first cell. An important possible environment of the prehistoric Earth has long been overlooked as a host to the perfect biochemical conditions for this process. The first complexes of continental crust on the early Earth must have already contained systems of interconnected cracks and cavities, which were filled with volatiles like water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. This book offers insights into how these conditions may have provided the ideal physical and chemical setting for the formation of protocells and early stages of life. The authors support their hypothesis with a number of astonishing findings from laboratory experiments focusing on a variety of organic compounds, and on the formation of key cellular ingredients and of primitive cell-like structures. Moreover, they discuss the principles of prebiotic evolution regarding the aspects of order and complexity. Guiding readers through various stages of hypotheses and re-created evolutionary processes, the book is enriched with personal remarks and experiences throughout, reflecting the authors' personal quest to solve the mystery surrounding the first cell.


Life's Origin

Life's Origin

Author: J. William Schopf

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 220

ISBN-13: 9780520233911

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Chemical Evolution

Chemical Evolution

Author: Bernd Markert

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-02-19

Total Pages: 295

ISBN-13: 3319143557

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This book is written for researchers and students interested in the function and role of chemical elements in biological or environmental systems. Experts have long known that the Periodic System of Elements (PSE) provides only an inadequate chemical description of elements of biological, environmental or medicinal importance. This book explores the notion of a Biological System of the Elements (BSE) established on accurate and precise multi-element data, including evolutionary aspects, representative sampling procedures, inter-element relationships, the physiological function of elements and uptake mechanisms. The book further explores the concept Stoichiometric Network Analysis (SNA) to analyze the biological roles of chemical species. Also discussed is the idea of ecotoxicological identity cards which give a first-hand description of properties relevant for biological and toxicological features of a certain chemical element and its geo biochemically plausible speciation form. The focus of this book goes beyond both classical bioinorganic chemistry and toxicology.