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Prebiotic Formation of Amino Acids in a Neutral Atmosphere by Electric Discharge
Author(s) -
Plankensteiner Kristof,
Reiner Hannes,
Schranz Benjamin,
Rode Bernd Michael
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.200353135
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , abiogenesis , astrobiology , earth (classical element) , amino acid , early earth , chemistry , electric discharge , atmospheric sciences , chemical physics , environmental science , physics , meteorology , biochemistry , astronomy , electrode
On the way to life , the formation of amino acids on the primordial earth was one of the essential prerequisites. To date, this formation could only be explained assuming a reducing atmosphere, which according to contemporary geochemistry could not have existed. Simulating a neutral primitive CO 2 /N 2 /H 2 O atmosphere above liquid water with frequent electric discharges (see picture) provides a model for the formation of peptides, and thus proteins and ultimately life.