Among other things, it contains details on what amphiphiles might actually be present on Titan, a very nice set of diagrams explaining their proposed process, and proposals for lab experiments to verify whether the process is possible. I've had a soft spot for the vesicle-first theory of abiogenesis since I first heard of it, so I hope someone runs the experiments. But as far as I can tell, this is all theoretical so far.
rolph•5h ago
amphiphillic vesicles are a stepping stone for persistent molecular forms.
essentially a reaction vessel, insulating the contents from the extravesicular mayhem.
jojobas•2h ago
It's thought that life on Earth started with RNA mayhem, not with vessels to isolate from it.
andrewflnr•1h ago
RNA world is mainstream, but a few scientists have proposed that something like cell membranes, such as these vesicles, came first and provided the environment for more complex chemistry.
evrimoztamur•55m ago
Life exists at the boundaries of density changes.
It makes absolutely no sense that the code would precede the hardware, and the hardware needs shielding.
I think the idea is that if you have a nice bubbly froth and some proteins/RNA type thing end up inside and help reinforce the bubble wall through electrostatic forces you get a symbiotic relationship. The soup inside reinforces the bubbles around it.
cmrx64•9m ago
transmembrane proteins are complex hardware of their own…
ggm•2h ago
I like the "vesicle first" theory because planar sheets of reaction can form perturbations, so getting from two surfaces mixing to complex shapes and enclosures feels plausible given any significant vibration or wave.
Once you have an enclosure you have potential for osmosis and other differentials across the boundary. It's not life Jim, but it's one hell of a building block/precursor.
andrewflnr•5h ago
Among other things, it contains details on what amphiphiles might actually be present on Titan, a very nice set of diagrams explaining their proposed process, and proposals for lab experiments to verify whether the process is possible. I've had a soft spot for the vesicle-first theory of abiogenesis since I first heard of it, so I hope someone runs the experiments. But as far as I can tell, this is all theoretical so far.
rolph•5h ago
jojobas•2h ago
andrewflnr•1h ago
evrimoztamur•55m ago
It makes absolutely no sense that the code would precede the hardware, and the hardware needs shielding.
andrewflnr•33m ago
bongodongobob•17m ago
cmrx64•9m ago