After new researchers, the scientists are founding out that Cyanide with Carbon Monoxide (CO) is binding with Iron and they are forming stable compounds found in the meteorites. The scientists are working with NASA or discovering compounds that are containing Iron, Cyanide, and Carbon Monoxide in some meteorites that are rich in Carbon. With this discovery, they think that they found the secrets of the origin of life on Earth.
In meteorites are found extraterrestrial compounds which are similar to the active site of Hydrogenases. These are actually enzymes that have the purpose of providing energy to bacteria and Achaea, and after that, they are breaking the Hydrogen gas (H2) down.
All these results are published in the journal Nature Communications, and they suggest that all of these compounds were present on Earth way before life began. That time of the beginning of Earth was a period when, and the atmosphere was hydrogen-rich.
The Mystery of the Origin of Life on Earth Can Be Decipher with New Clues
Besides that, Cyanide was at that time an essential compound for the molecules necessary for building a life. Cyanide is composed of a Carbon atom and a Nitrogen atom, bonding together, and be the essential factor for the origin of life. Further, the non-biological synthesis of some organic compounds, such as Amino Acids and Nucleobases, are the ones that are building blocks of Proteins and Nucleic Acids. All forms of life use Proteins and Nucleic Acids.
Also, Karen Smith, who works as a senior research scientist for Boise State University in the U.S, alongside with Mike Callahan, an assistant professor at Boise State, is developing analytical methods for extracting and measuring ancient traces of Cyanide in some meteorites. They tested other types of meteors as well, such as the ones from Mars, but these don’t have Cyanide.
Finally, the study discovered that Cyanide with Carbon Monoxide (CO) is binding with Iron, and they form stable compounds in these meteorites. The research shows that Cyano-Carbonyl is similar to the sites full of Hydrogenases; even the structure is different. The scientists are still wondering if there is a link between the tow and maybe the Cyano-Carbonyl is a precursor of the active sites.
Doris’s passion for writing started to take shape in college where she was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper. Even though she ended up working in IT for more than 7 years, she’s now back to what he always enjoyed doing. With a true passion for technology, Doris mostly covers tech-related topics.