Darwin on stage: evolutionary theory in the theatre

Abstract

The chirality of living matter, and of its chemical processes, is reviewed. It is argued that the development of chiral self-replicating systems from nonliving maner is perfectly possible from precursors tbat are available only in racemic form, and that external chiral influences are unnecessary for this development. Minimal conditions for the nonbiotic development of a self-replicating molecular species are discussed, and it is proposed that this development could occur in a small self-contained aqueous system exposed to sunlight and incorporating a limited supply of simple organic precursor molecules, provided that polyphosphates are continuously being synthesised photochemically and that a catalyst for phosphate transfer is continuously available. The importance of hydrolysis, at a rate comparable to synthesis, is emphasised.