In two high-profile studies, Scripps Research chemists have demonstrated that the emergence of homochirality was due largely to a chemistry phenomenon called kinetic resolution. This phenomenon occurs when one chiral form becomes more abundant than another due to faster production and/or slower depletion.
Homochirality and Kinetic Resolution
Homochirality refers to the phenomenon where living organisms predominantly use one mirror-image form of certain molecules, such as amino acids and sugars, over their mirror-image counterparts. This is a fundamental feature of life, but its origins have long puzzled scientists.
The Role of Kinetic Resolution
The new studies by the Scripps researchers show that the emergence of homochirality was likely driven by kinetic resolution. This process favors the production of one chiral form over another, leading to an imbalance between the two. The researchers propose that this phenomenon could have played a crucial role in the early emergence of homochirality on the prebiotic Earth.
The findings highlight the power of kinetic resolution in shaping the chemical makeup of the early Earth, ultimately contributing to the emergence of life as we know it.