A model of life: the metabolism in abiogenic structures

We can find many examples of metabolic processes in heterogeneous spatially isolated molecular structures existing on the primary Earth and in the modern conditions. These processes are the prototype of metabolism in living organisms. Apparently, a simple compelling example is the exchange of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the particles of minerals, for example in particles of volcanic ash and interaction products thereof with water. This type of primary particles existed on earth and exists on the planet today. These particles are present in the depths of the oceans and the planet’s atmosphere. Simultaneously, in the liquid water on the planet and its atmosphere, as on other planets and their satellites, are always present molecules of hydrogen peroxide in detectable concentrations.

Hydrogen peroxide with an excess of water are absorbed by particles of many minerals, such as the volcanic ash. Hydrogen peroxide is involved in local and general cycles of water [1]. In the process of moving said particles under the influence of winds, ocean currents and other physical forces and fields, molecules of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalysts (such as iron compounds) are decomposed easily and are replaced by new molecules.

Thus, the particles of minerals containing water “are feed” by the hydrogen peroxide and remain in the circulation of material. This active “life” of particles continues as long as they do not lose their catalytic activity in the decomposition process of hydrogen peroxide. The loss of catalytic activity or the aging catalysts are well known to chemists. The main reasons for the loss of this activity are also understandable. They are primarily associated with changes in the composition and structure of particles. With the development of “ontogeny” – the aging of certain particles, new “young” particles arise and “the life of populations” of these particles continues. It should be noted that hydrogen peroxide also decomposes readily on mineral surfaces without catalysts at temperatures in excess of 30-40 C.

The described process of “life” can be easily reproduced in the laboratory.

Similarly, one can investigate the metabolism on surfaces of micro-and macro-minerals particles with sugars (e.g., formed from formaldehyde, HCHO) [2], purine bases (formed from HCN) [3] and with other “building blocks of life” [4]. All this can also occur in the water cycle and substances on the planet and other celestial bodies. These processes correspond to the laws of hierarchical thermodynamics. The evolution of these processes is controlled by the “principle of substance stability” [1].

Some works

1. G. P. Gladyshev. Exchange of mater in nature. http://endeav.net/news/45-exchange-of-matter-in-nature.html

2. H. James Cleaves II. The prebiotic geochemistry of formaldehyde. Geophysical Laboratory, The Carnegie Institution for Science, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, DC 20015, United States.

3. Eliot Boulanger¹,Dr. Anakuthil Anoop², Dr. Dana Nachtigallova³,Prof. Dr. Walter Thiel¹and Dr. Mario Barbatti^1,*Photochemical Steps in the Prebiotic Synthesis of Purine Precursors from HCN. Article first published online: 19 JUN 2013. DOI:10.1002/anie.201303246.

4. David Deamer and Arthur L. Weber.Bioenergeticsand Life’s Origins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol.Feb 2010;2(2): a004929. Doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a004929Bioenergetics and Life’s Origins http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828274/