Prebiotic synthesis of bioorganic compounds by simulation experiments

Abstract

A great number of prebiotic synthesis experiments under possible primitive conditions have been conducted since the 1950s. In most of the prebiotic synthesis experiments of the earlier era, strongly reducing gas mixtures were used as a primitive Earth atmosphere, and amino acids and other bioorganic compounds were successfully synthesized. Their formation mechanisms were explained by step-by-step modes, such as the Strecker synthesis. However, such a strongly reducing atmosphere is questioned and the contributions of extraterrestrial organics are under consideration. We learned that quite complex organic compounds could be formed under interstellar environments through the analysis of extraterrestrial samples and products of experiments simulating extraterrestrial conditions. Simulation experiments are also introduced to examine the possible origins of the homochirality of biomolecules. Experiments simulating submarine hydrothermal systems were also conducted. It is very difficult to verify the origin of life on the Earth, since relics of the prebiotic synthesis do not remain on the Earth. It would be possible, however, to examine possible origins of life in space through the synergy of planetary exploration and space experiments.