Biology
Scientific paper
Jan 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999adspr..24..417b&link_type=abstract
Advances in Space Research, Volume 24, Issue 4, p. 417-433.
Biology
19
Scientific paper
Life, defined as a chemical system capable of transferring its molecular information via self-replication and also capable of evolving, must develop within a liquid to take advantage of the diffusion of complex molecules. On Earth, life probably originated from the evolution of reduced organic molecules in liquid water. Organic matter might have been formed in the primitive Earth's atmosphere or near hydrothermal vents. A large fraction of prebiotic organic molecules might have been brought by extraterrestrial-meteoritic and cometary dust grains decelerated by the atmosphere. Any celestial body harboring permanent liquid water may therefore accumulate the ingredients that generated life on the primitive Earth. The possibility that life might have evolved on early Mars when water existed on the surface marks it as a prime candidate in a search for bacterial life beyond the Earth. Europa has an icy carapace. However, cryovolcanic flows at the surface point to a possible water subsurface region which might harbor a basic life form. The atmosphere and surface components of Titan are also of interest to exobiology for insight into a hydrocarbon-rich chemically evolving world. One-handed complex molecules and preferential isotopic fractionation of carbon, common to all terrestrial life forms, can be used as basic indicators when searching for life beyond the Earth
No associations
LandOfFree
Life in the Solar System 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 Life in the Solar System, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Life in the Solar System will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1186299