By VINOD K. WADHAWAN - NIRMUKTA
Added: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 UTC

Thanks to Bala for the link.
http://nirmukta.com/2009/11/13/complexity-explained-9-how-did-complex-molecules-like-proteins-and-dna-emerge-spontaneously/

Note: For previous parts to Dr. Wadhawan’s series on complexity check out the ‘Related Posts’ found at the bottom of this article.

How could the blind forces of Nature create large and highly information-laden molecules like DNA and proteins just by random processes? DNAimage9_1 carries information for the synthesis of
proteins, but it requires the prior availability of certain protein molecules for performing its genetic duties. Such proteins help the double-helix DNA molecule to uncoil itself and split into two strands for replication purposes. Therefore, DNA and certain proteins must have emerged independently, by some efficient (and therefore reasonably likely) chemical processes. But how? The answer has to do with the chemical evolution of autocatalytic sets of molecules, which could consume energy-rich molecules and other precursors (’food’) to ‘reproduce’. These molecules were the predecessors of proteins and DNA etc., and thence of life.

9.1 Catalysis

Catalysis is a process that facilitates or speeds up a chemical reaction. Often, a chemical process may involve two or more intermediate reactions. A catalyst is a molecule that speeds up the production of an end product of the chemical process by participating in the intermediate reactions, but separates at the end of the chain of reactions, thus becoming available all over again for further catalysis. Often, a chemical reaction may almost never occur if no catalyst is present. Enzymes are examples of proteins that assist (i.e. catalyze) chemical reactions in biological systems.
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http://nirmukta.com/2009/11/13/complexity-explained-9-how-did-complex-molecules-like-proteins-and-dna-emerge-spontaneously/

TAGGED: BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, EVOLUTION