Intrinsic concentration cycles and high ion fluxes in self-assembled precipitate membranes. Issue 6 (18th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ding, Yang; Cartwright, Julyan H. E.; Cardoso, Silvana S. S.
• Is Part Of: Interface focus. Volume 9:Issue 6(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10-18
• Subjects: alkaline hydrothermal vents -- chemical gardens -- chemobrionics -- origin of life -- nanoreactors -- reaction–advection hydrodynamics; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-8898

Abstract

Abstract : Concentration cycles are important for bonding of basic molecular building components at the emergence of life. We demonstrate that oscillations occur intrinsically in precipitation reactions when coupled with fluid mechanics in self-assembled precipitate membranes, such as at submarine hydrothermal vents. We show that, moreover, the flow of ions across one pore in such a prebiotic membrane is larger than that across one ion channel in a modern biological cell membrane, suggesting that proto-biological processes could be sustained by osmotic flow in a less efficient prebiotic environment. Oscillations in nanoreactors at hydrothermal vents may be just right for these warm little pores to be the cradle of life.