Jordan, Seán F.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8403-1100, van Zuilen, Mark A., Rouillard, Joti, Martins, Zita
ORCID: 0000-0002-5420-1081 and Lane, Nick
ORCID: 0000-0002-5433-3973
(2024)
Prebiotic membrane structures mimic the morphology of alleged early traces of life on Earth.
Communications Earth & Environment, 5
(1).
ISSN 2662-4435
Abstract
Elucidating compositions of the first cell membranes requires experiments with molecules and chemical conditions representative of early Earth. The molecules used are described as ‘prebiotically plausible’, i.e., they could have formed through abiotic reactions before the emergence of biology. Similarly, the chemical properties of solutions in which these membranes are formed (e.g., pH, temperature, ionic strength) must represent early Earth environments. Here, using confocal and transmission electron microscopy combined with population morphometry, we show that prebiotically plausible molecules, in solutions representative of Hadean submarine alkaline hydrothermal vents, form microstructures with substantial morphological diversity. The microstructures hold the potential for use as analogues of prebiotic processes in the rock record. Additionally, many of the structures are morphologically similar to purported early microfossils, highlighting limitations of morphological interpretation in these studies. Detailed analyses of abiotic microstructures are essential for understanding the earliest life on Earth, and for interpretation of potential biosignatures from extra-terrestrial bodies.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Article (Published) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Subjects: | Biological Sciences > Biochemistry Humanities > Biological Sciences > Biochemistry Physical Sciences > Analytical chemistry Physical Sciences > Chemistry Physical Sciences > Organic chemistry Physical Sciences > Inorganic chemistry |
| DCU Faculties and Centres: | DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Chemical Sciences |
| Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
| Official URL: | https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01372-0 |
| Copyright Information: | Authors |
| Funders: | European Research Council, Research Ireland, 'la Caixa' Foundation |
| ID Code: | 32571 |
| Deposited On: | 05 May 2026 14:48 by Sean Jordan . Last Modified 05 May 2026 14:48 |
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