BIO 3102 Lecture 19: Lec 19 - Origin of Life
7 Apr 2017
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Lec 19 slide pack 14 - origin of life. Definition of life = a self-sustaining chemical system capable of evolution. Assembly of polymers that can store info and catalyze rxns. Supported by multifunctional nature of present-day rna (genotype and phenotype) Can act as catalyst (rna dep rnapol in virus and plants) But dna more stable for storing info ($ better dna repair system) Proteins are better able to understand catalysis (more chemical functionality with a range of amino acids, stability) Dna became more useful, better molecule for storing genomic info bc better stability. 2 hydroxyls on rna makes it unstable, that"s why it can fold differently as well bc two groups t h bond. Also makes it more able to undergo hydrolysis. Amino acids has more specificity and more possible shapes making it easier to bind and degrade enzymes. This is why we diversified from rna world. Origin of life not a tree but a web of life !
