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A study published in the journal ‘Science Advances’ suggests that rainwater may have played a crucial role in stabilizing early cell-like structures called protocells, potentially aiding the origin of life.
Potential Role of Rainwater in Stabilizing Protocells
Rainwater, being free of dissolved ions, helps prevent coacervate droplets (a type of protocell) from fusing together, which allows them to maintain their structure and compartmentalization.
This stabilization helps keep genetic material, such as RNA, confined within the protocells, promoting the conditions needed for early life processes.
What are Protocells?
Protocells are primitive, cell-like structures that likely emerged from organic molecules on early Earth, acting as precursors to modern cells.
They consist of a matrix material for structure and genetic material for functioning and replication.
Two Proposed Models for Protocells
Vesicles:
Formed from lipid molecules that create tiny bubbles.
Can encapsulate chemicals but lack specialized proteins for interaction, limiting their functionality.
2) Coacervates:
Droplets formed by the aggregation of organic molecules, such as peptides and nucleic acids.
Lack a membrane, allowing for easier exchange of materials but risking uncontrolled mixing of genetic material, which could hinder evolution.
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