Abstract Hypotheses of macromolecule formations during the prebiotic era are described. The presumed role of minerals and clays in these reactions are: concentration of monomers, proton release by ion exchange whenever the reaction demands it, scattering of the charges of the interacting substances, thus allowing such substances to interact, which in the absence of clays repel each other due to their charges. Because of these reasons the polymerization mechanism in the presence of clays is different from that in their absence. While in the absence of clays only free amino acids or peptides can interact with active amino acid anhydrides, giving thus peptides increased by only one unit, in the presence of clays two molecules of amino acid anhydrides can interact, giving a still active peptide anhydride which can interact with another active peptide. Clays catalyze polymerization only in these cases where the amino acid is small enough to enter between the sheets of the clay. Apparently most of the reactions also occur there and not on the surface of the clay. Copolymerization of different pairs of amino acids proceeds selectively in the presence of clay. The relationship between this selecitvity and prebiotic parent proteins is discussed.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The possible role of clays in prebiotic peptide synthesis


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1974




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    Local classification TIB:    535/3908/4290
    BKL:    44.71 Verkehrsmedizin



    Clays as possible catalysts for peptide formation in the prebiotic era

    Paecht-Horowitz, Mella | Online Contents | 1976


    Clays and other minerals in prebiotic processes

    Paecht-Horowitz, Mella | Online Contents | 1984


    A possible prebiotic peptide formation from glycinamide and related compounds

    Yanagawa, Hiroshi / Nishizawa, Masato / Kojima, Kiyotsugu | Online Contents | 1984



    Synthesis of prebiotic molecules — Role of some carbonyl compounds in prebiotic chemistry

    Chadha, M. S. / Choughuley, A. S. U. | Online Contents | 1984