title: Hydrothermal Conditions and the Origin of Cellular Life.
abstract: The conditions and properties of hydrothermal vents and hydrothermal fields are compared in terms of their ability to support processes related to the origin of life. The two sites can be considered as alternative hypotheses, and from this comparison we propose a series of experimental tests to distinguish between them, focusing on those that involve concentration of solutes, self-assembly of membranous compartments, and synthesis of polymers. Key Word: Hydrothermal systems.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Baskin School of Engineering, University of California , Santa Cruz, California, USA .
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Deamer
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Biology, University of Patras , Patras, Greece .
authors.forename: Christos D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Georgiou
mesh_terms: D045482:Hot Springs / Q000737:chemistry; D060086:Hydrothermal Vents / Q000737:chemistry; D000069497:Origin of Life; D010710:Phosphates; D010788:Photosynthesis; D011188:Potassium; D012964:Sodium; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D012964:Sodium; D015032:Zinc; D011188:Potassium