Chapter 9 Mineral theories of the origin of life and an iron sulfide example (original) (raw)

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The origin of life on Earth has long been a subject of debate, with traditional theories often focusing on organic compounds formed in a primordial soup, yet recent evidence suggests that early life may have relied on geochemical processes involving minerals, particularly in hydrothermal environments. This work proposes a radical mineral theory of life's origins, emphasizing the role of iron sulfides in catalyzing organic reactions and potentially serving as structural components of early organisms, thereby providing a new perspective on the biochemical pathways that may have led to the emergence of life.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, Scotland
    A. Graham Cairns-Smith
  2. Department of Geology and Applied Geology, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, Scotland
    Alan J. Hall & Michael J. Russell

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  1. A. Graham Cairns-Smith
  2. Alan J. Hall
  3. Michael J. Russell

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Cairns-Smith, A.G., Hall, A.J. & Russell, M.J. Chapter 9 Mineral theories of the origin of life and an iron sulfide example.Origins Life Evol Biosphere 22, 161–180 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01808023

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