title: Speculations on the origin and evolution of metabolism.
abstract: An autotrophic origin of metabolism is described, which requires clays, transition state metals, disulfide and dithiols, U.V. and cyanide ion. A general scheme is proposed, involving the fixation of CO2 and N2, for the evolution of intermediary metabolism based on the evolution of a complex system from a simple one. The basic conclusion is that metabolism could have evolved from a simple environment rather than from a complex one.
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000378:metabolism; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001272:Atmosphere; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002952:Citric Acid Cycle; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D003486:Cyanides / Q000378:metabolism; D004220:Disulfides / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008660:Metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation; D011687:Purines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D000596:Amino Acids; D003067:Coenzymes; D003486:Cyanides; D004220:Disulfides; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008670:Metals; D011687:Purines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D002245:Carbon Dioxide