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Origin of organic compounds on the primitive earth and in meteoritesThe paper examines the role and relative contributions of different forms of energy to the synthesis of amino acids and other organic compounds on the primitive earth and in the solar nebula. Attention is directed mainly to the activation steps and formation of reactive intermediate compounds. Electric discharges appear to be not only the most efficient energy for amino acid synthesis but also yield a mixture of amino acids that is qualitatively and quantitatively the same as that found in the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite. Ultraviolet light is likely to have played a major role in prebiotic synthesis. The reaction of CO plus H2 plus NH3 on the surface of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst produces reactive intermediates which lead to amino acids and other organic compounds in a much less efficient way than electric discharges.
Document ID
19770044059
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Miller, S. L.
(California Univ. La Jolla, CA, United States)
Urey, H. C.
(California, University La Jolla, Calif., United States)
Oro, J.
(Houston, University Houston, Tex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
December 31, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Molecular Evolution
Volume: 9
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
77A26911
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCA2-OP295-501
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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