Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: week 71
There is an equal chance the creation of left handed or right handed carbon chains. For example, when we produce glucoses in the lab we get just as many right handed ones as we do left handed ones.

The fact that life in this part of the universe uses left handed amino acids and right handed protiens is a matter of chance. In the evolution of life one form took hold and the other did not. There is no reason why life in some other part of the Universe would not be formed using chains which mirror our own. As a matter of fact there is an even probablity that life elsewhere in the universe would form from mirror image carbon chains. (If we were invaded by life made from mirror image carbon changes, we would not have to worry about them eating us. )

200 posted on 12/19/2001 5:08:05 PM PST by pcl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 198 | View Replies ]


To: pcl
The fact that life in this part of the universe uses left handed amino acids and right handed protiens is a matter of chance.

Well.

Homochirality of life is not likely a matter of chance. There is plenty of evidence which suggests that multiple influences from catalysts, substrates, parity violating weak forces, gamma rays, stability of complexes and so forth influence the energetic advantage of one isomer or enantiomer over another. Just because sugar forms a racemic mixture in your particular reaction doesn't mean that all reactions result in racemic mixtures.

205 posted on 12/19/2001 7:15:56 PM PST by Nebullis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 200 | View Replies ]

To: pcl
(If we were invaded by life made from mirror image carbon changes, we would not have to worry about them eating us. )

That is good "organic chemistry humor":-)LOL!You should consider that for some text book. cheers

208 posted on 12/19/2001 7:29:58 PM PST by week 71
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 200 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson