Unlocking the Mystery of How Autocatalysis Paved the Way for Evolution
In a new study published in the journal Nature, scientists have discovered how small molecules could have been responsible for the emergence of life on Earth. The research suggests that a process called autocatalysis, in which small molecules catalyze their own formation, was key to the evolution of life. Autocatalysis is a self-sustaining process that requires only a few simple components to create a complex system. In this study, the researchers used computer simulations to demonstrate that autocatalysis could have been the driving force behind the emergence of life from the primordial soup. The simulations showed that small molecules could catalyze their own formation, leading to the development of more complex molecules. This process could have helped pave the way for the evolution of life on Earth.
source: Phys.org