Nonlinear aspects of astrobiological research

TL;DR

This paper explores mathematical models of astrobiological phenomena, including biomolecular handedness, hereditary information, and early Earth's atmospheric changes, highlighting potential mechanisms and their implications for life's origins.

Contribution

It introduces new theoretical insights into the nonlinear processes influencing the origin and early development of life on Earth.

Findings

Handedness of biomolecules may have arisen from instability mechanisms.

Hypercycle theory offers a framework for hereditary information.

Early life likely impacted Earth's atmosphere and climate.

Abstract

Several aspects of mathematical astrobiology are discussed. It is argued that around the time of the origin of life the handedness of biomolecules must have established itself through an instability. Possible pathways of producing a certain handedness include mechanisms involving either autocatalysis or, alternatively, epimerization as governing effects. Concepts for establishing hereditary information are discussed in terms of the theory of hypercycles. Instabilities toward parasites and possible remedies by invoking spatial extent are reviewed. Finally, some effects of early life are discussed that contributed to modifying and regulating atmosphere and climate of the Earth, and that could have contributed to the highly oxidized state of its crust.