The origin of chirality in the molecules of life : a revision from awareness to the current theories and perspectives of this unsolved problem /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Guijarro, Albert.
Imprint:	Cambridge, UK : Royal Society of Chemistry, ©2008.
Description:	1 online resource (xi, 150 pages) : color illustrations
Language:	English
Subject:	Chirality. Biochemistry. Phenomena and Processes Genetic Phenomena. Biological Phenomena. Evolution, Molecular. Biochemical Phenomena. Biological Evolution. Chemical Phenomena. Biochemistry. Chirality.
Format:	E-Resource Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11191897

Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors:	Yus, Miguel.
ISBN:	9781847558756 1847558755 1847558755
Digital file characteristics:	data file
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary:	An interdisciplinary review of one of the great unsolved scientific mysteries - the origin of chirality in biomolecules. This book provides an interdisciplinary review of one of the great unsolved mysteries that has fascinated scientists for over 150 years: the origin of chirality in biomolecules. It was Pasteur who first initiated the search for a deterministic theory to explain the 'handedness' of biomolecules. His theory, that a 'dissimetric' force was involved, was correct in essence but he never saw the fruits of his labour. Current thinking tells us that asymmetry in the universe has its origins in the forces that unfolded after the Big Bang and, more specifically, the weak force. Being 'left handed', the weak force imprinted its signature on the evolving Universe. However, at the molecular level, the weak force does not provide a straightforward explanation of biomolecular homochirality. In fact, it is yet to be proved beyond doubt that a causal link exists at all. Many alternative theories have been put forward, some of them resting on solid ground, but all lacking definitive experimental evidence to back them up. Some postulate that the handedness of molecules in the biosphere arose by chance but this is hard to test. Others rely on discovering life on similar planets and making comparisons with Earth. Alternative theories have emerged from a range of backgrounds including geology, biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. Current advances in fields as diverse as space exploration, prebiotic chemistry and high-energy physics may help to provide an answer. Important pieces of information will come from observations at the two frontiers of science: outer space and the subatomic world. Observation of distant planets, galaxies, and even actual sampling of celestial objects from beyond the solar system are projects currently underway. At the other end of the spectrum, there are experiments that study the elemental properties of matter, such as symmetry, and interactions with the fundamental forces. All these efforts will render their fruits soon. This volume unifies all the theories of the origin of biomolecular homochirality together in one source. The various chapters focus on chance mechanisms, physical forces such as the 'weakinteraction', fluid dynamics, amplification of chirality, the organic contents of meteorites and comets and, finally, the physical view of an intrinsically asymmetric universe. This complete, interdisciplinary review of an intriguing subject condenses a large and disparate range of contributions from journals in almost every scientific field. The various theories have been organized, interrelated and explained in a unified way. One of the book's strengths is its extensive use of graphic material to aid understanding the many subjects covered. It is fundamental, comprehensive and structured to be accessible for educational purposes.
Other form:	Print version: 0854041567 9780854041565

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1. Introduction and historical background
Chapter 2. Classification of the theories of the origin of biomolecular homochirality: Chance theories
Amplification of tiny stochastic imbalances
The racemic state
Polymerizations above a critical chain length macromolecules
Deterministic theories
Chapter 3. The concept of chirality: The basic symmetry operations
The space inversion: the Parity operator:
The time reversion: the Time reversal operator:
The charge conjugation: the Charge conjugation operator: ;The failure of the experiments of L. Pasteur, P. Curie and others. Experiments in the absence of chirality. Experiments under the influence of false chirality or true chirality
Absence of chiral field
Experiments under false chiral influence
Experiments under true chiral influence
Expected effect of true and false chirality on molecules
Chapter 4. Chiral physical forces: The Weak Interaction and the Parity Violation
Introduction. The Fundamental Interactions: Gravitational, weak interaction, electromagnetic and strong interaction
The ?-decay
Parity violation
Experimental confirmation of the parity violation in weak interactions
The ?+ and ?- decays and the conservation of the symmetry operator
The Principle of Invariance
Unification of forces
The Electroweak Theory
The neutral Zº boson
Quantification of the Parity violation in molecules: ?Epv
Experimental tests for parity-violating energies ?Epv in molecules
?-Radiolysis
Asymmetric photolysis and photosynthesis
Circularly polarized light. Circular dichroism
The magnetochiral effect
Fluid Dynamics: Vortex motion
Chapter 5. Mechanisms of Amplification: Autocatalysis
The Frank Model
Theoretical Models derived from Frank's original model
Autocatalytic amplification of the weak force
Amplification of Chirality in chemical reactions
Non-linear effects
Asymmetric autocatalytic reactions
Self-replication
Amplification of the chirality by cooperative forces: growing polymers and supramolecular assembles
Amplification of the chirality in polymerizations
Amplification of the chirality in supramolecular assembles
The Yamagata cumulative mechanism
The Salam phase transition
Amplification of scalemic compounds. Eutectic mixtures
Solubility properties
Sublimation proterties
Amplification of chirality in serine octamers
Homochiral preference and chiral amplification
Chemistry of serine octamers
Sublimation experiments
Chapter 6. Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking:
Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in Crystallizations
Chapter 7. Outside Earth: Meteorites and Comets: Meteorites
Comets
Chapter 8. Other local deterministic theories: Chiral crystals and faces on crystals
Quartz
Calcite, gypsum, clay minerals and others
Organic crystals: Glycine
Two-dimensional chirality
Chapter 9. Intrinsic Assymetry of the Universe: The Arrow of Space-Time and the unequal occurrence of matter and antimatter.
Amplification of the chirality in polymerizations
Amplification of the chirality in supramolecular assembles
The Yamagata cumulative mechanism
The Salam phase transition
Amplification of scalemic compounds. Eutectic mixtures
Solubility properties
Sublimation proterties
Amplification of chirality in serine octamers
Homochiral preference and chiral amplification
Chemistry of serine octamers
Sublimation experiments
Chapter 6. Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking:
Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in Crystallizations
Chapter 7. Outside Earth: Meteorites and Comets: Meteorites
Comets
Chapter 8. Other local deterministic theories: Chiral crystals and faces on crystals
Quartz
Calcite, gypsum, clay minerals and others
Organic crystals: Glycine
Two-dimensional chirality
Chapter 9. Intrinsic Assymetry of the Universe: The Arrow of Space-Time and the unequal occurrence of matter and antimatter.

The origin of chirality in the molecules of life : a revision from awareness to the current theories and perspectives of this unsolved problem /

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