Hypothesis: the origin of life in a hydrogel environment

A hypothesis is proposed that the first cell(s) on the Earth assembled in a hydrogel environment. Gel environments are capable of retaining water, oily hydrocarbons, solutes, and gas bubbles, and are capable of carrying out many functions, even in the absence of a membrane. Thus, the gel-like enviro...

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Veröffentlicht in:	Progress in biophysics and molecular biology 2005-09, Vol.89 (1), p.1-8
Hauptverfasser:	Trevors, Jack T., Pollack, Gerald H.
Format:	Artikel
Sprache:	eng
Schlagworte:	Assembly Bacteria Biomimetic Materials - chemistry Biomimetic Materials - metabolism Cell Clays Cytoplasm Cytoplasm - chemistry Cytoplasm - metabolism Division Earth Earth (Planet) Ecosystem Evolution Evolution, Chemical Growth Hydrogel Hydrogels - chemistry Hydrogels - metabolism Life Membrane Models, Biological Models, Chemical Origin Origin of Life Water
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Zusammenfassung:	A hypothesis is proposed that the first cell(s) on the Earth assembled in a hydrogel environment. Gel environments are capable of retaining water, oily hydrocarbons, solutes, and gas bubbles, and are capable of carrying out many functions, even in the absence of a membrane. Thus, the gel-like environment may have conferred distinct advantages for the assembly of the first cell(s).
ISSN:	0079-6107 1873-1732
DOI:	10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2004.07.003