Scientists from NASA for the first time in history were able to obtain in laboratory conditions, simulating the space environment, complex the carbohydrate is deoxyribose, which is the essential element for the development of life. This experiment proves that this compound can be formed in outer space. Therefore, the results of the study support the assumption that life on Earth in the form of primitive organic matter was recorded from space. The results of the work of scientists reported in an article published in the journal Nature Communications.
In the experiment, the scientists simulated in the laboratory environment of outer space. To do this, placed in a vacuum chamber a mixture of steam and methanol is cooled to -260 degrees, Aim, and then the resulting ice is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Thus, scientists tried to recreate the conditions that exist in clouds of interstellar gas and matter. Analysis of the samples showed that on the surface of aluminum formed by different carbohydrate compounds, including 2-deoxyribose.
“This proves that these processes occur at least in our galaxy,” says astrochemist Michael new from the Ames Research center.
An earlier and similar experiments, which were obtained ribose, the main structural component of RNA has shown that carbohydrates can be formed by reactions involving simple molecules of formaldehyde, which was detected in comets. However, until now scientists could not obtain the deoxyribose, which contains less oxygen atoms than the compound obtained by researchers previously. In addition, previously, scientists have found in space, amino acids and nucleotides.
“The fact that we got a deoxyribose, speaks of another type of mechanism for obtaining organic substances”, — said the scientist.
The new discovery confirms that the space is enough building blocks for the origin of life. Thus comets and meteorites can potentially bring them to the surface of the planet. It also means that the deficit of complex organic substances can not be considered a limiting factor for the emergence of life. At the same time, scientists note that their study says only about the possibility, but does not prove the existence of living creatures on other planets.
Recall that currently there are two space mission (Japanese “Hayabusa-2” and the American OSIRIS-Rex) during which it is planned to take soil samples of the asteroid for further study in terrestrial laboratories. Scientists will be able to analyze and find in them traces of desoxyribose and other important life organic components.
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