title: Primordial ocean chemistry and its compatibility with the RNA world.
abstract: We examine the stability of three key components needed to establish an RNA World under a range of potential conditions present on the early earth. The stability of ribose, cytosine, and the phosphodiester bond are estimated at different pH values and temperatures by extrapolating available experimental data. The conditions we have chosen range from highly acidic or alkaline hydrothermal vents, to the milder conditions in a primordial ocean at a range of atmospheric CO(2) partial pressures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, USA. jkua@sandiego.edu
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kua
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bada
mesh_terms: D003596:Cytosine / Q000737:chemistry; D019419:Evolution, Planetary; D006207:Half-Life; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D000069497:Origin of Life; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D012266:Ribose / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D012266:Ribose; D003596:Cytosine