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Molecular microenvironments: Solvent interactions with nucleic acid bases and ionsThe possibility of reconstructing plausible sequences of events in prebiotic molecular evolution is limited by the lack of fossil remains. However, with hindsight, one goal of molecular evolution was obvious: the development of molecular systems that became constituents of living systems. By understanding the interactions among molecules that are likely to have been present in the prebiotic environment, and that could have served as components in protobiotic molecular systems, plausible evolutionary sequences can be suggested. When stable aggregations of molecules form, a net decrease in free energy is observed in the system. Such changes occur when solvent molecules interact among themselves, as well as when they interact with organic species. A significant decrease in free energy, in systems of solvent and organic molecules, is due to entropy changes in the solvent. Entropy-driven interactioins played a major role in the organization of prebiotic systems, and understanding the energetics of them is essential to understanding molecular evolution.
Document ID
19860017400
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Macelroy, R. D.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pohorille, A.
(California Univ. Berkeley., United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Second Symposium on Chemical Evolution and the Origin and Evolution of Life
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
86N26872
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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