The quest to unravel the mysteries of life’s origins has taken a major step forward with a groundbreaking study published in the journal Science Advances.
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Scientists have long speculated about the origin of life on Earth, including that important components may have been delivered from space, and now, this latest research shows strong evidence that ‘ support this theory, showing how important molecules for life, called “peptides,” could form more easily under the conditions of space than on Earth.
Life, as we know it, depends on complex carbon-based molecules called proteins, which are essential for the functioning of cells in all living organisms.
In their study, the scientists investigated the formation of peptides, which are short chains of amino acids with important biological functions while peptides are essential for reactions necessary for life to promote and they may play a role in the formation of early cellular structures, their spontaneous formation. on early Earth it was not easy, and they suggested Previous research suggests that the cold conditions of space may be more favorable for peptide formation, a hypothesis supported by the results of the current study.
The research team simulated space conditions in laboratory environments, and found that “peptides” can form under these conditions. Specifically, in the low-density environment of interstellar clouds, molecules can assemble into peptides on the surface of dust grains. , and so on. Drawn into denser environments, such as dust disks where new solar systems are forming, “peptide” formation continues, enabled by the presence of water molecules.
As for what this means for the search for extraterrestrial life, the study suggests that the basic building blocks of life are widespread across the globe, and may have played an important role their arrival to planets such as Earth through meteorites and comets in the emergence of life. on our planet, and the results also raise questions.
“As soon as we understand the conditions required for these molecules to self-assemble into living organisms, we will have a better understanding of the possibility of finding life outside the Earth,” said Pauline Poignot, from the Institute Chemistry and Materials at the University of Poitiers in France.
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