Talking about the origin:
Covalent bonds are too strong to break without enzymes. That sets up a very difficult situation in
trying to discover the origin of life. How can a chemical system pop up with both covalent bonds and
a symbiotic enzyme system all at once with no precursor. To say its just an egg or chicken problem
is to underestimate the problems this presents.
"Molecules formed by covalent bonds never fall apart at physiological temperatueres; only at
temperatures of several hundred degrees centigrade will they decompose. (Note even in my origin of
life scenario the temp never leaves the range of liquid water though it totters at the high end to
make the most of high temp in speeding up chemical reactions and allowing for a dry -over 100C and
a wet - under 100C element to it) Since biological systems function only within a narrow
temperature range and cannot tolerate high temperatures, they utilize the protein catalysts called
enzymes, which can break these covalent bonds at temperatures at which life can exist."
(Microbiology Nester et. al.)
This paradox or catch 22 has been a roadblock for many scenarios of the origin. Even the RNA world
with its ribozymes - though encouraging - doesn't seem to quite answer it. We need a system that is
simpler , that produces many variants to select from, that is powered not by itself (too
complicated) but by the environment, that depends on chemical reactions not fluke events, etc. IMO
my scenario suggests a way out of this impasse.
Comment?
Tom Hendricks