Astrophysical and Astrochemical Insights into the Origin of Life.

Ehrenfreund, P. ; Becker, L. ; Blank, J. ; Brucato, J.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Origin of life;    Astrophysics;    Astrochemistry;    Mathematical models;    Equations;   

RP-ID  :  DE200515013483

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

Current experimental research investigating the origin of life is focused on the spontaneous formation of stable polymers out of monomers. However, understanding the spontaneous formation of structure is not enough to understand the formation of He. The introduction and evolution of information and complexity is essential to our definition of life. The formation of complexity and the means to distribute and store information is currently investigated in a number of theoretical frameworks; such as evolving algorithms, chaos theory, and modem evolution theory. In this article we review the physical and chemical processes that form and shape organic matter in space. In particular we discuss the chemical pathways of organic matter in the interstellar medium, their evolution in protoplanetary disks and their integration into solar system material. Furthermore we investigate the role of impacts and the delivery of organic matter to the prebiotic Earth. Processes that may have assembled prebiotic molecules to produce the first genetic material and ideas about the formation of complexity in chemical networks are discussed.