The triose model: Glyceraldehyde as a source of energy and monomers for prebiotic condensation reactions
- 1 June 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in Discover Life
- Vol. 17 (2) , 107-119
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01808239
Abstract
Glyceraldehyde acts as a source of energy and monomers in a new model of the origin of life. The simplest form of the model functions by converting formaldehyde from the environment into glyceraldehyde which spontaneously forms hemiacetal adducts that are oxidized to polyglyceric acid. Polyglyceric acid, in turn, acts as an autocatalyst with a rudimentary replicating ability. A unique property of the model is its ability to unite the origin of metabolism and the origin of polymer synthesis into a single process. Furthermore, the chemical resemblance of the model to glycolysis gives it the potential to develop a biological metabolism in a straightforward manner.Keywords
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