The Origins of Prebiological Systems and of Their Molecular Matrices

Proceedings of a Conference Conducted at Wakulla Springs, Florida, on 27-30 October 1963 under the Auspices of the Institute for Space Biosciences, the Florida State University and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

1st Edition - January 1, 1965
Editor: Sidney W. Fox
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 6 3 6 0 - 1

The Origins of Prebiological Systems and of their Molecular Matrices covers the proceedings of the conference conducted at Wakulla Springs, Florida on 27-30 October 1963 under the… Read more

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The Origins of Prebiological Systems and of their Molecular Matrices covers the proceedings of the conference conducted at Wakulla Springs, Florida on 27-30 October 1963 under the Auspices of the Institute for Space Biosciences, the Florida State University, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The publication focuses on the processes, methodologies, and assumptions on the origin of life, as well as evolution, molecular matrices, geochemistry, and hydrogenation. The selection first offers information on random polymers as a matrix for chemical evolution, the folly of probability, and molecular matrices for living systems. Discussions focus on ultraviolet photoproduction of polymers, melanin as a random polymer, and random polymer on the primitive earth. The book then takes a look at the aspects of the geochemistry of amino acids; asymmetric hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds; and stages and mechanisms of prebiological organic synthesis. The publication tackles thermal synthesis of amino acids from a hypothetically primitive terrestrial atmosphere and primordial ultraviolet synthesis of nucleoside phosphates. The text also ponders on the probable synthesis of porphine-like substances during chemical evolution; thermal polycondensation of free amino acids with polyphosphoric acid; and random polycondensation of sugars. The selection is highly recommended for readers interested in the origins of prebiological systems.

Contents

List of Contributors

Preface

Introductory Remarks

Introductory Remarks

Part I. Perspectives I

Chairman's Remarks

Data Needed for a Blueprint of the First Organism

Discussion

Random Polymers As A Matrix for Chemical Evolution

Discussion

The Folly of Probability

Discussion

Molecular Matrices for Living Systems

Introduction of Dr. Oparin

History of the Subject Matter of the Conference

Discussion

Part II. Micromolecules

Chairman's Remarks

Two Aspects of the Geochemistry of Amino Acids

Discussion

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds

Discussion

Stages and Mechanisms of Prebiological Organic Synthesis

Discussion

Amino Acids, Peptides, and Spherules Obtained From "Primitive Earth" Gases in A Sparking System

Discussion

The Thermal Synthesis of Amino Acids From A Hypothetically Primitive Terrestrial Atmosphere

Discussion

Chairman's Remarks

Primordial Ultraviolet Synthesis of Nucleoside Phosphates

Abiological Synthesis of Some Nucleic Acid Constituents

Discussion

Probable Synthesis of Porphine-Like Substances During Chemical Evolution

Discussion

Part III. Macromolecules

Chairman's Remarks

Projecting Backward from the Present Stage of Evolution of Biosynthesis

Discussion

Random Polycondensation of Sugars

Thermal Polycondensation if Free Amino Acids with Polyphosphoric Acid

Discussion

Synthesis of Nucleosides and Polynucleotides with Metaphosphate Esters

Discussion

Thermal Condensation of Cytidylic Acid in the Presence of Polyphosphoric Acid

Discussion

Part IV. Models of Precellular Organization

Introductory Remarks

The Pathways of the Primary Development of Metabolism and ArtificialModelling of this Development in Coacervate Drops

Discussion

Morphology and Chemistry of Microspheres from Proteinoid

Discussion

Comments

Simulated Natural Experiments in Spontaneous Organization of Morphological Units From Proteinoid

Discussion

Part VI. Perspectives II

The Recognition of Hereditary Order in Primitive Chemical Systems

Discussion

Coding Triplets in the Evolution of Hemoglobin and Cytochromes C Genes

Discussion

The Role of Light in Evolution: Transition From A One Quantum To A Two Quanta Mechanism

Discussion

Index