Two-dimensional life?

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991 Nov;88(22):10014-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.88.22.10014.

Abstract

A model [Wächtershäuser, G. (1988) Microbiol. Rev. 52, 452-484], according to which life started in the form of a monomolecular layer of interacting anionic metabolites electrostatically bound to a positively charged surface, is examined critically. The model raises a number of thermodynamic and kinetic difficulties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anions
  • Biological Evolution
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Minerals
  • Models, Biological*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nucleic Acid Precursors / chemistry
  • Nucleic Acids / chemistry
  • Origin of Life*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Anions
  • Minerals
  • Nucleic Acid Precursors
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Polymers
  • Sulfides
  • pyrite
  • Iron