Stability properties of a primitive translation mechanism

A model for a primitive polypeptide synthesis mechanism with a certain degree of fidelity is presented. From the stability analysis of its kinetic equations, it is demonstrated that a multiple steady state is possible, in some region of parameter values. It is suggested that this capibility could play a basic role with respect to the survival of biopolymers.     

A review of conditions affecting the radiolysis due to40K on nucleic acid bases and their derivatives adsorbed on clay minerals: Implications in prebiotic chemistry

This paper describes the possible effects of ionizing radiation arising from long-lived soluble radionuclides within clays, in particular⁴⁰K, at the epoch of the emergence of life on Earth. The free dispersion of soluble radionuclides constitutes an effectivein situ irradiation mechanism that might have acted upon adsorbed nucleic bases and their derivatives on clays, inducing chemical changes on these organic molecules. Several types of well documented reactions for radiolysis of nucleic acid bases and their derivatives are known, even at low doses (i.e., 0.1 Gy). For example, estimates with a dose rate calculated from⁴⁰K from deep sea clays at 3.8 Ga ago, indicates that over a period of 1000 years the amount of organic material transformated is 1.8 × 10^–7 moles/kg-clay.Although ionizing radiation may also induce synthetic reactions with prebiological interest, all in all these considerations indicate that nucleic acid bases and their derivatives adsorbed on clays were exposed for long periods to degradation conditions. Such situation promotes decomposition of organic molecules rather than protection of them and enhancement of further polymerization, as it has been usually taken for granted.