Homochirality and the Need for Energy
Abstract
The mechanisms for explaining how a stable asymmetric chemical system can be formed from a symmetric chemical system, in the absence of any asymmetric influence other than statistical fluctuations, have been developed during the last decades, focusing on the non-linear kinetic aspects. Besides the absolute necessity of self-amplification processes, the importance of energetic aspects is often underestimated. Going down to the most fundamental aspects, the distinction between a single object—that can be intrinsically asymmetric—and a collection of objects—whose racemic state is the more stable one—must be emphasized. A system of strongly interacting objects can be described as one single object retaining its individuality and a single asymmetry; weakly or non-interacting objects keep their own individuality, and are prone to racemize towards the equilibrium state. In the presence of energy fluxes, systems can be maintained in an asymmetric non-equilibrium steady-state. Such dynamical systems can retain their asymmetry for times longer than their racemization time.
- Publication:
-
Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere
- Pub Date:
- February 2010
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s11084-009-9181-6
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0908.0658
- Bibcode:
- 2010OLEB...40...93P
- Keywords:
-
- Emergence of homochirality;
- Energy;
- Entropy;
- Non-equilibrium thermodynamics;
- System chemistry;
- Symmetry breaking;
- Quantitative Biology - Biomolecules;
- Physics - Chemical Physics
- E-Print:
- 8 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres