The Origins of Prebiological Systems and of Their Molecular Matrices
Proceedings of a Conference Conducted at Wakulla Springs, Florida, on 27-30 October 1963 under the Auspices of the Institute for Space Biosciences, the Florida State University and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Editors: Sidney W. Fox
The Origins of Prebiological Systems and of their Molecular Matrices covers the proceedings of the conference conducted at Wakulla Springs, Florida on 27-30 October 1963 under the Auspices of the Institute for Space Biosciences, the Florida State University, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The publication focuses on the processes, methodologies, and assumptions on the origin of life, as well as evolution, molecular matrices, geochemistry, and hydrogenation.
The selection first offers information on random polymers as a matrix for chemical evolution, the folly of probability, and molecular matrices for living systems. Discussions focus on ultraviolet photoproduction of polymers, melanin as a random polymer, and random polymer on the primitive earth. The book then takes a look at the aspects of the geochemistry of amino acids; asymmetric hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds; and stages and mechanisms of prebiological organic synthesis.
The publication tackles thermal synthesis of amino acids from a hypothetically primitive terrestrial atmosphere and primordial ultraviolet synthesis of nucleoside phosphates. The text also ponders on the probable synthesis of porphine-like substances during chemical evolution; thermal polycondensation of free amino acids with polyphosphoric acid; and random polycondensation of sugars.
The selection is highly recommended for readers interested in the origins of prebiological systems.
Part I. Perspectives I
Chairman's Remarks
Data Needed for a Blueprint of the First Organism
Random Polymers As A Matrix for Chemical Evolution
The Folly of Probability
Molecular Matrices for Living Systems
Introduction of Dr. Oparin
History of the Subject Matter of the Conference
Part II. Micromolecules
Two Aspects of the Geochemistry of Amino Acids
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds
Stages and Mechanisms of Prebiological Organic Synthesis
Amino Acids, Peptides, and Spherules Obtained From "Primitive Earth" Gases in A Sparking System
The Thermal Synthesis of Amino Acids From A Hypothetically Primitive Terrestrial Atmosphere
Primordial Ultraviolet Synthesis of Nucleoside Phosphates
Abiological Synthesis of Some Nucleic Acid Constituents
Probable Synthesis of Porphine-Like Substances During Chemical Evolution
Part III. Macromolecules
Projecting Backward from the Present Stage of Evolution of Biosynthesis
Random Polycondensation of Sugars
Thermal Polycondensation if Free Amino Acids with Polyphosphoric Acid
Synthesis of Nucleosides and Polynucleotides with Metaphosphate Esters
Thermal Condensation of Cytidylic Acid in the Presence of Polyphosphoric Acid
Part IV. Models of Precellular Organization
The Pathways of the Primary Development of Metabolism and ArtificialModelling of this Development in Coacervate Drops
Morphology and Chemistry of Microspheres from Proteinoid
Simulated Natural Experiments in Spontaneous Organization of Morphological Units From Proteinoid
Part VI. Perspectives II
The Recognition of Hereditary Order in Primitive Chemical Systems
Coding Triplets in the Evolution of Hemoglobin and Cytochromes C Genes
The Role of Light in Evolution: Transition From A One Quantum To A Two Quanta Mechanism