Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 275 OF 1236

Main Title Chirality and Life A Short Introduction to the Early Phases of Chemical Evolution / [electronic resource] :
Type EBOOK
Author Flügel, Rolf M.
Publisher Springer Berlin Heidelberg,
Year Published 2011
Call Number QD415-436
ISBN 9783642169779
Subjects Life sciences ; Biochemistry
Internet Access
Description Access URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16977-9
Collation IX, 90p. 15 illus., 10 illus. in color. online resource.
Notes
Due to license restrictions, this resource is available to EPA employees and authorized contractors only
Contents Notes
Part I. Physico-chemical Principles -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Formation of Primordial Bioorganic Molecules -- 3. Hidden Aspects of Chirality -- 4. RNAs and Their Constituents -- 5. Proteins and Their Constituents -- 6. Membranes -- 7. Compounds Required for Life Part II. Scenarios of Ancient Worlds -- 8. The RNA World Involves RNA as a First Genetic System -- 9. Peptide and Protein World -- 10. Combinations of the RNA with the Peptide World -- 11. The Precellular World of Viruses -- 12. Combinations of Different Worlds -- 13. The Iron Sulfide World of Proto-Metabolism -- 14. The Genetic Code. This book presents the fascinating formation of the first simple bioorganic molecules and describes the hidden aspects of chiral compounds, which raise questions on the molecular beginnings of life. The occurrences of extraterrestrial, non-standard amino acids in meteorites are dealt with in detail, as well as their subsequent transfer to proteinogenic amino acids. The concept of asymmetric organo-catalysis for the synthesis of carbohydrates and ribonucleosides are considered. The notion of a single amino acid that functions as an enzyme is developed. Attempts to simulate ancient world scenarios are critically reviewed. There is a special focus on ribozymes and the resulting RNA world. Combinations of different world scenarios are discussed in view of an on-going evolution. The currently most plausible hypotheses and visions of ancient world scenarios that led to today's DNA world are also provided. Included is a pre-cellular world of viruses that is presented for the first time.