Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 12, 1 December 1998, Pages 491-495
Reviews
The origin of life—a review of facts and speculations
Leslie E. Orgel*
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Available online 22 September 1999.
Abstract
Three popular hypotheses attempt to explain the origin of prebiotic molecules: synthesis in a reducing atmosphere, input in meteorites and synthesis on metal sulfides in deep-sea vents. It is not possible to decide which is correct. It is also unclear whether the RNA world was the first biological world or whether some simpler world preceded it.
Author Keywords: prebiotic synthesis; reducing atmosphere; carbonaceous chondrite; deep-sea vent; RNA world.
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