Abstract
The activation-polymerization-epimerization-depolymerization (APED) model of Plasson et al. has recently been proposed as a mechanism for the evolution of homochirality on prebiotic Earth. The dynamics of the APED model in two-dimensional spatially-extended systems is investigated for various realistic reaction parameters. It is found that the APED system allows for the formation of isolated homochiral proto-domains surrounded by a racemate. A diffusive slowdown of the APED network induced, for example, through tidal motion or evaporating pools and lagoons leads to the stabilization of homochiral bounded structures as expected in the first self-assembled protocells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 479-493 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Abiogenesis
- Homochirality
- Prebiotic chemistry
- Proto-cells
- Protometabolism
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Space and Planetary Science