Open AccessMechanical Energy before Chemical Energy at the Origins of Life?
Author(s) -
Helen G. Hansma
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
sci
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2413-4155
DOI - 10.3390/sci2020019
Subject(s) - mechanical energy , chemical energy , energy (signal processing) , mechanical design , living systems , mica , materials science , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , composite material , thermodynamics , biology , ecology , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
Mechanical forces and mechanical energy are prevalent in living cells. This may be because mechanical forces and mechanical energy preceded chemical energy at life’s origins. Mechanical energy is more readily available in non-living systems than the various forms of chemical energy used by living systems. Two possible prebiotic environments that might have provided mechanical energy are hot pools that experience wet/dry cycles and mica sheets as they move, open and shut, as heat pumps or in response to water movements.