French and German scientists have concluded that organic molecules crucial for the emergence of life could have originated in outer space.
The research findings, published in the journal Science Advances, helped understand that under simulated conditions of the cosmic environment inside circumstellar dust disks, peptides were synthesized – short chains of amino acids, also known as protein precursors. Peptides formation occurred through the joining of a large number of amino ketene molecules formed from ammonia, cyanide, and carbon atoms.
Scientists believe that peptide synthesis may occur on the surface of dust particles, and then these materials enter denser regions of molecular clouds and circumstellar disks, where stars, planets, and comets are forming. Researchers also found a large amount of volatile compounds in dust disks that negatively affect peptide formation.
Experts studied the effect of water on the efficiency of protein precursor synthesis. They considered that water can initiate hydrolysis reactions, breaking peptide bonds. However, despite this, it was found that water does not hinder their development in the circumstellar cloud, although the reaction rate decreases.
Various biomolecules are formed in space, such as amino acids, phosphates, lipids, and others. They have been found in meteorites and comets. Presumably, the mass delivery of biomolecules during the period of Earth bombardment by meteorites about 4 billion years ago played a key role in the emergence of life in the Solar System.”
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