Mathematics – Probability
Scientific paper
Aug 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006oleb...36..391s&link_type=abstract
Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, Volume 36, Issue 4, pp.391-411
Mathematics
Probability
Symmetry Breaking, Homochirality, Peptides, Epimerization, Autocatalysis, Random Processes, Monte Carlo Calculations
Scientific paper
A cyclic process is described which is constituted of polymerization, epimerization, and hydrolysis steps. During the first cycle peptides with random sequences are formed from racemic amino acids. A small portion of these peptides have substructures with a terminal residue linked to a homochiral sequence of optical antipodes. In such a substructure the terminal residue is assumed to invert into its mirror image so that a thermodynamically favourable epimeric stucture with continuous homochirality is formed. In the hydrolysis step the peptides are split back to monomeric units with retention of configuration. Due to stochastic differences between L- and D-substructures a net excess of one of the enantiomers results. This excess enhances the probability of the formation of substructures having the dominant configuration in the next cycle. It is shown by probabilistic considerations and computer simulations that this mechanism generates an autocatalytic growth of one of the enantiomers which finally results in homochiral populations of amino acids. The number of cycles necessary to attain homochirality depends on the number of residues of the substructure, on the chain length distribution of the polymers and on the total number of amino acid units.
No associations
LandOfFree
Evolution of Homochirality by Epimerization of Random Peptide Chains. A Stochastic Model does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Evolution of Homochirality by Epimerization of Random Peptide Chains. A Stochastic Model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evolution of Homochirality by Epimerization of Random Peptide Chains. A Stochastic Model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1104765