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The Detection of Aromatic Amino Acids in CR Chondrites Suggests They are Prebiotically PlausibleAmino acids (AAs) are the building blocks of proteins and are essential for life on Earth. Sources of AAs on early Earth range from exogenous sources such as delivery from extraterrestrial materials(i.e., meteorites, interplanetary dust particles, comets, etc.) to endogenous sources including chemical reactions in hydrothermal vents or atmospheric mixtures. Analyses of AAs of extraterrestrial origin from meteorites and laboratory studies of simulated prebiotic environments revealed that a diverse set of abiotically produced AAs may have been present on early Earth. However only a fraction of these AAs is found within the proteins of living organisms. Of the22 genetically encoded (proteinogenic) AAs, 20 occur in the standard genetic code (SGC) and are used by nearly all living organisms to build proteins. The universality of this AA alphabet suggests the presence and incorporation of these specific AAs occurred early in the evolution of life.
Document ID
20205011745
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
A. S. Burton
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
E. L. Berger
(Jacobs (United States) Dallas, Texas, United States)
A. C. Fox
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, Maryland, United States)
C. Lee
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, Maryland, United States)
Date Acquired
December 21, 2020
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science 52
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: March 15, 2021
End Date: March 19, 2021
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Institute
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: 811073
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
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