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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1997  > August  >
Chemistry Everyday for Everyone
"Biochemical Predestination" as Heuristic Principle for Understanding the Origin of Life
Stephan Berry
Max-Volmer-Inst., PC 14, Technische UniversitŠt Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, GERMANY
Cover
August 1997
Vol. 74 No. 8
p. 950
Abstract
This paper presents a discussion of the idea that chemical laws were of great influence in shaping prebiotic chemistry and thus all terrestrial life until today, since the fundamental biochemical characteristics were transmitted from the first protocells to all subsequent organisms (A point of view that is for instance taken by C. De Duve in this recent book "Vital Dust"). It is argued that in fact many of the basic biochemical features of life can be explained by chemical laws. Some examples in support of this view are presented. Among them there is a brief discussion of the absence of chlorine from the group of elements ("CHONSP") forming the chemical basis of life. This observation may be of illustrative value for understanding the biochemical design of life and has obviously not yet been discussed in an origin of life-context. The determination of biochemistry by universal chemical laws is of two fold value: It may be used for the reconstruction of brebiotic processes in the past, but it also enables predictions on the biochemistry of extraterrestrial life, at least for planets having a planetary chemistry similar to Earth.
More Information
*  Citation
 Berry, Stephan. J. Chem. Educ. 1997 74 950.
*  Keywords
 Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 July 28, 1999
June 23, 2005
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