Origin of homochirality in biosystems.
Experimental data for a series of central and simple molecules in biosystems show that some amino acids and a simple sugar molecule have a chiral discrimination in favor of homochirality. Models for segregation of racemic mixtures of chiral amphiphiles and lipophiles in aqueous solutions show that the amphiphiles with an active isomerization kinetics can perform a spontaneous break of symmetry during the segregation and self-assembly to homochiral matter. Based on this observation it is argued that biomolecules with a sufficiently strong chiral discrimination could be the origin of homochirality in biological systems.
Toxvaerd
Søren
S
DNRF center "Glass and Time", Roskilde University, Postbox 260 DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark;.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000737:chemistry; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013816:Thermodynamics
D000596:Amino Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates