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Scientists, in their quest to uncover the mysteries of life’s origins, have recreated the formation of fatty acids—a vital component in building early cells on Earth. This breakthrough not only illuminates the beginnings of life on our planet over 3.5 billion years ago but also suggests possibilities for life on other celestial bodies.
The emergence of life on Earth is theorized to have originated from inert geological substances, possibly near deep-sea hydrothermal vents—underwater structures resembling rocky chimneys that expel superheated fluid from beneath the Earth’s crust.
Jon Telling, a biogeochemistry expert at Newcastle University, highlighted the significance of hydrothermal vent sites, particularly alkaline hydrothermal vents, in combining key elements of origin-of-life theories. Scientists have generally focused on molecules storing biological information (like nucleic acids), catalyzing cell reactions (such as amino acids), or forming cell membranes (comprising fatty acids) to give cells a distinct chemical identity.
Fatty acids, the subject of Telling’s latest paper led by Durham University’s Graham Purvis, are organic compounds that spontaneously organize into cell-like structures in watery environments. These molecules likely played a crucial role in shaping initial cell membranes, protecting the cell’s inner mechanisms.
The research showed that fatty acids and other organic molecules can form on iron-mineral surfaces within hydrothermal vent fluid. Hydrothermal fluids, dynamic environments with changing flow paths and mixing proportions, were considered in the study.
Published in Communications Earth and Environment, the study demonstrated the ease with which long-chain fatty acids can form under hydrothermal vent conditions. Telling suggested similar conditions may exist on other celestial bodies, such as Jupiter’s moon Europa, Saturn’s moon Enceladus, and potentially past hydrothermal vent sites on Mars.
Telling expressed that this study could enhance our understanding of comparable chemical processes and potential life origins elsewhere in our solar system. The findings offer valuable insights into the diverse environments where life could potentially emerge beyond Earth.
