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A group of scientists from the Ludwig Maximilian University (Germany) has proposed a new theory about the origin of life on Earth based on the mechanism of “chemical evolution.” The study was published in Nature Communications and reveals how the first DNA and RNA molecules could self-replicate in natural conditions.
Key points of the study
- The ideal environment
The scientists suggested that suitable conditions for the formation of nucleic acids existed in porous rock structures or closed spaces such as microcaverns.
- The role of water and gas
The interaction of water with gases in these spaces caused dynamic fluctuations in the concentration of salts. This process turned out to be critical for the separation of DNA strands and their replication.
- Experimental data
The researchers found that under laboratory conditions, the DNA content in water can triple in five minutes and increase 30 times in an hour with the right concentration of salts.
Significance of the discovery
- Confirmation of the possibility of chemical evolution
These data confirm that natural processes on the early Earth could have provided conditions for the origin of life without requiring complex catalysts or external intervention.
- Basis for new research
The work provides new insights into the process of the origin of life, which may be useful for studying both terrestrial biology and possible life on other planets.
