Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life
In 2001, the first author (S.N.) led the publication of a book entitled “Geochemistry and the origin of life” in collaboration with Dr. Andre Brack aiming to figure out geo- and astro-chemical processes essential for the emergence of life. Since then, a great number of research p...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2018-09-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/8/4/39 |
| _version_ | 1811301346460041216 |
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| author | Satoru Nakashima Yoko Kebukawa Norio Kitadai Motoko Igisu Natsuki Matsuoka |
| author_facet | Satoru Nakashima Yoko Kebukawa Norio Kitadai Motoko Igisu Natsuki Matsuoka |
| author_sort | Satoru Nakashima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In 2001, the first author (S.N.) led the publication of a book entitled “Geochemistry and the origin of life” in collaboration with Dr. Andre Brack aiming to figure out geo- and astro-chemical processes essential for the emergence of life. Since then, a great number of research progress has been achieved in the relevant topics from our group and others, ranging from the extraterrestrial inputs of life’s building blocks, the chemical evolution on Earth with the aid of mineral catalysts, to the fossilized records of ancient microorganisms. Here, in addition to summarizing these findings for the origin and early evolution of life, we propose a new hypothesis for the generation and co-evolution of photosynthesis with the redox and photochemical conditions on the Earth’s surface. Besides these bottom-up approaches, we introduce an experimental study on the role of water molecules in the life’s function, focusing on the transition from live, dormant, and dead states through dehydration/hydration. Further spectroscopic studies on the hydrogen bonding behaviors of water molecules in living cells will provide important clues to solve the complex nature of life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:07:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c9e918e5905a47c2b665bca53aa97bff |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:07:08Z |
| publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-c9e918e5905a47c2b665bca53aa97bff2022-12-22T02:56:58ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292018-09-01843910.3390/life8040039life8040039Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant LifeSatoru Nakashima0Yoko Kebukawa1Norio Kitadai2Motoko Igisu3Natsuki Matsuoka4Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, JapanDepartment of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, JapanEarth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, JapanDepartment of Subsurface Geobiological Analysis and Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kanagawa 237-0061, JapanUndergraduate School of Physics, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, JapanIn 2001, the first author (S.N.) led the publication of a book entitled “Geochemistry and the origin of life” in collaboration with Dr. Andre Brack aiming to figure out geo- and astro-chemical processes essential for the emergence of life. Since then, a great number of research progress has been achieved in the relevant topics from our group and others, ranging from the extraterrestrial inputs of life’s building blocks, the chemical evolution on Earth with the aid of mineral catalysts, to the fossilized records of ancient microorganisms. Here, in addition to summarizing these findings for the origin and early evolution of life, we propose a new hypothesis for the generation and co-evolution of photosynthesis with the redox and photochemical conditions on the Earth’s surface. Besides these bottom-up approaches, we introduce an experimental study on the role of water molecules in the life’s function, focusing on the transition from live, dormant, and dead states through dehydration/hydration. Further spectroscopic studies on the hydrogen bonding behaviors of water molecules in living cells will provide important clues to solve the complex nature of life.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/8/4/39building blocksbiopolymerspolymerizationextraterrestrial inputsmineral surfacesmetabolismphotosynthesiswaterhydrogen bonding (9: 3-10) |
| spellingShingle | Satoru Nakashima Yoko Kebukawa Norio Kitadai Motoko Igisu Natsuki Matsuoka Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life Life building blocks biopolymers polymerization extraterrestrial inputs mineral surfaces metabolism photosynthesis water hydrogen bonding (9: 3-10) |
| title | Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life |
| title_full | Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life |
| title_fullStr | Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life |
| title_short | Geochemistry and the Origin of Life: From Extraterrestrial Processes, Chemical Evolution on Earth, Fossilized Life’s Records, to Natures of the Extant Life |
| title_sort | geochemistry and the origin of life from extraterrestrial processes chemical evolution on earth fossilized life s records to natures of the extant life |
| topic | building blocks biopolymers polymerization extraterrestrial inputs mineral surfaces metabolism photosynthesis water hydrogen bonding (9: 3-10) |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/8/4/39 |
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