DailyDirt: Looking For Life In All The Wrong Places?
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
The chemistry of what we consider biology may be common throughout the universe, but that doesn't necessarily mean that life is also abundant on other worlds. Chemists have tried to re-create the conditions that might have resulted in current biochemistry, but zapping inanimate precursor chemicals hasn't (yet?) generated any kind of life (that wasn't based on an existing, known lifeform -- ie. Venter kinda cheated). Here are some astrochemists looking for clues that might help us understand the origins of life.- Two molecules, cyanomethanimine and ethanamine, have been seen in drifting in the interstellar cloud known as Sagittarius B2. The researchers who found them note that these molecules could be chemical precursors for DNA and RNA. [url]
- The existence of homochirality in biochemistry is a bit of mystery, but there may be some explanations that involve radiation from distant supernovas. Finding evidence of homochirality on asteroids or comets would be a nice find.... [url]
- The evidence of cellulose in interstellar space would be really exciting... if the spectroscopy data were more reliable. In 1978, polysaccharides were reported to be present near the Orion Trapezium Cluster, but confirming that finding hasn't panned out. [url]
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Filed Under: astrochemistry, biochemistry, biology, extraterrestrial life, homochirality, interstellar space, life
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Missed a link!
The hypothesis of an exogenous origin and delivery of biologically important molecules to early Earth presents an alternative route to their terrestrial in situ formation. Dipeptides like Gly-Gly detected in the Murchison meteorite are considered as key molecules in prebiotic chemistry because biofunctional dipeptides present the vital link in the evolutionary transition from prebiotic amino acids to early proteins.
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Not going to happen
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Re: Not going to happen
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Wow, just wow!
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Of course not.
"but zapping inanimate precursor chemicals hasn't (yet?) generated any kind of life (that wasn't based on an existing, known lifeform"
So what's the point here? ... Surely it is not implied this is proof of life not existing elsewhere, because that would be silly.
As most people realize, it is difficult to prove a negative. Makes one wonder why it is such a popular pass time.
It is highly unlikely that life does not exist elsewhere. It is interesting that many start with the premise that it does not rather than it does. I suppose it is due to them thinking they are special.
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synthia
This Synthetic bacteria was developped by the DOD at fort Detrick back in 2002. It was discovered May 17 2002.
the bacteria was ready for depolyment by 2003. They tested it and knew when to realease it!
The BP oil spill disaster was no accident! Both BP and Craig venter Are scapegoat for what is about to hit us!
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