BSCI 207 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Central Dogma Of Molecular Biology, Genetic Code, Glutamine
5 Oct 2016
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Cosmos formed around 15 billion years ago. Earth formed around 4. 5 billion years ago. Key elements began to react together to make molecules: simple molecules to complex molecules. Early life arose between 3. 5-2. 6 billion years ago: aquatic to terrestrial life. Life needs to: metabolize and make energy, contain genetic information, pass down that genetic information. But which came first, metabolism or genetic information: metabolism 1st. Oparine and haldine suggested an ordered set of chemical reactions was the beginning of life. Vents created highly reactive metal substrates: confirmed by tests. Were able to make pyruvic acid and some amino acids. However, was only able to be done with co, not. Thought most likely to have come first. Many critical enzymes have reactive metal centers. Much of life relies on these enzymes. Thermophilic bacteria and archaea are closer to the root of the tree of life: information 1st. In almost all organisms, information flow is consistent with the central dogma.
