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Chemistry and Physics of Primitive Membranes

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Prebiotic Chemistry

Part of the book series: Topics in Current Chemistry ((TOPCURRCHEM,volume 259))

Abstract

A membrane boundary structure was essential for the advent of cellular life. The membranes of contemporary cells are composed of a mosaic of proteins embedded in a bimolecular layer of phospholipids, each of which requires a complex enzymatic pathway for its synthesis. The earliest forms of life could not have had such a highly evolved pathway in place. Amphiphilic monocarboxylic acids are present in carbonaceous meteorites and can be synthesized under simulated geochemical conditions. Such compounds have physical and chemical properties that allow them to assemble into bilayer membranes and are therefore plausible components of the first cellular membranes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, 95060, Santa Cruz,, CA, USA

    David W. Deamer

  2. Laboratory for Astrochemistry, Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 691.0, 20771, Greenbelt, MD, USA

    Jason P. Dworkin

Authors
  1. David W. Deamer
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  2. Jason P. Dworkin
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Correspondence to David W. Deamer .

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Peter Walde

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Deamer, D.W., Dworkin, J.P. Chemistry and Physics of Primitive Membranes. In: Walde, P. (eds) Prebiotic Chemistry. Topics in Current Chemistry, vol 259. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b136806

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