49
to simulate the primitive atmosphere of Earth. Electric
sparks were provided across the chamber to provide
energy for the chemical reactions. After about a week
of this experiment, it was found that amino acids and
organic molecules had formed in the container.
2.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) – These
molecules are found in interstellar medium, in comets
and in meteorites and could be the basis of the earliest
form of life on Earth.
3.
Comets/ Meteorites – Murchison meteorite
which fell in Australia in 1969 has been found to be rich
in organic molecules. Over 14,000 molecular compounds
and 70 amino acids have been found in the meteorite.
It is possible that these building blocks of life arose on
Murchison meteorite
Image Source:
http://en.wik ipedia.
o r g / w i k i /
Murchison_meteorite
some other parent body and were transported to Earth
from elsewhere
Nucleic Acids to form DNA/ RNA:
A more primitive form of DNA (Dioxyribonucleic acid) is the RNA (Ribonucleic acid). RNA can self assemble
into ribozymes which can carry out chemical reactions including self replication.
ICY SCIENCE | QTR 1 2014