New research claims that impact sites in oceans caused by asteroids pay hold a vital link in illustrating the creation of the crucial molecules for life. During the study, the scientists unearthed the appearance of amino acids, building blocks for proteins.
This according to the scientists from Tohoku University, demonstrates the part that meteorites played in bringing life-giving materials to Earth, and possibly Mars as well.
Offering Explanations
There are two explanations for the origins of life's building molecules: extraterrestrial delivery, such as via meteorites; and endogenous formation. The presence of amino acids and other biomolecules in meteorites points to the former.
Researchers from Tohoku University, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), and Osaka University simulated the reactions involved when a meteorite crashes into the ocean. To do this, they investigated the reactions between carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, and iron in a laboratory impact facility using a single-stage propellant gun.
Their simulation revealed the formation of amino acids such as glycine and alanine. These amino acids are direct constituents of proteins, which catalyze many biological reactions.
The team used carbon dioxide and nitrogen as the carbon and nitrogen sources because these gases are regarded as the two major components in the atmosphere on the Hadean Earth, which existed more than 4 billion years ago.
Opens Interesting Avenues For Exploration
Corresponding author from Tohoku University, Yoshihiro Furukawa, explains, "Making organic molecules form reduced compounds like methane and ammonia are not difficult, but they are regarded as minor components in the atmosphere at that time." He adds, "The finding of amino acid formation from carbon dioxide and molecular nitrogen demonstrates the importance in making life's building blocks from these ubiquitous compounds."
The hypothesis that an ocean once existed on Mars also raises interesting avenues for exploration. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are likely to have been the major constituent gases of the Martian atmosphere when the ocean existed. Therefore, impact-induced amino acid formation also provides a possible source of life's ingredients on ancient Mars.
Furukawa says, "further investigations will reveal more about the role meteorites played in bringing more complex biomolecules to Earth and Mars."
(With inputs from agencies)
