Hydrogen-cyanide and Water Reaction as the Origin of Life

• New research found a potential explanation for the origin of life.
• This research builds on existing theories and experiments, but it attempts to paint a more precise picture of the origin of life.
• The research uses a simulation of Earth’s environment to test a theory about molecule formation.

Quick Summary

Previous experiments on the origin of life give limited results. Those experiments are not accurate enough for us to claim we understand the process of life formation exactly. This is because they are unable to include important factors that influence this process. So, the new discovery made at the ACS Central Science shows the likely energetic reactions between water and hydrogen-cyanide that created the basic elements of proteins and RNA.

Goal

Because of the inability of previous experiments to produce accurate ideas about the formation of life. The new research attempt considered factors that were left out previously. Aside from wanting to correct the mistakes from the past, the researchers had one more goal. They wanted to determine if the essential elements present on Earth 4 billion years ago, together with Earth’s hazy atmosphere, collided and led to the formation of life.

Investigation

The experiment uses a new tool to advance our understanding. The tool in question is the ab initio nanoreactor and it stimulates how molecule mixtures typically collide and react. They also include other factors in the experiment, like temperature and air pressure.

Result

The researchers show that hydrogen-cyanide and water can react to produce the forerunners of RNA and proteins. The reaction does not need metal catalysts or lots of energy, as previous studies show. These findings show us the potential ways life could form.

Limitations

• Even though the study shows important factors that can lead to life formation we cannot be sure that such a reaction did happen 4 billion years ago.
• The main limitation of the study is in its scope. This is because it only looks at the creation of molecular forerunners of protein, RNA, and DNA.

Sources

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acscentsci.9b00520#

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/acs-nii080219.php