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Organic compounds in meteoritesRecent studies of carbonaceous chondrites provide evidence that certain organic compounds are indigenous and the result of an abiotic, chemical synthesis. The results of several investigators have established the presence of amino acids and precursors, mono- and dicarboxylic acids, N-heterocycles, and hydrocarbons as well as other compounds. For example, studies of the Murchison and Murray meteorites have revealed the presence of at least 40 amino acids with nearly equal abundances of D and L isomers. The population consists of both protein and nonprotein amino acids including a wide variety of linear, cyclic, and polyfunctional types. Results show a trend of decreasing concentration with increasing carbon number, with the most abundant being glycine (41 n Moles/g). These and other results to be reviewed provide persuasive support for the theory of chemical evolution and provide the only natural evidence for the protobiological subset of molecules from which life on earth may have arisen.
Document ID
19800065883
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Lawless, J. G.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Life sciences and space research. Volume 18
Location: Bangalore
Country: India
Start Date: May 29, 1979
End Date: June 9, 1979
Accession Number
80A50053
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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