Anomalous thermal fluctuation distribution sustains proto-metabolic cycles and biomolecule synthesis

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that non-enzymic proto-metabolic cycles driven by fluctuating thermal conditions can sustain biomolecule synthesis, suggesting that dynamic far-from-equilibrium environments are crucial for life's origin.

Contribution

It reveals that anomalous thermal fluctuation distributions enable proto-metabolic cycles and biosynthesis, revising the understanding of conditions necessary for life's emergence.

Findings

Non-Boltzmann fluctuation distributions observed in simulations.

Net biosynthesis occurs under fluctuating, not steady, drives.

Dynamic far-from-equilibrium conditions are essential for proto-metabolic processes.

Abstract

An environment far from equilibrium is thought to be a necessary condition for the origin and persistence of life. In this context we report open-flow simulations of a non-enzymic proto-metabolic system, in which hydrogen peroxide acts both as oxidant and driver of thermochemical cycling. We find that a Gaussian perturbed input produces a non-Boltzmann output fluctuation distribution around the mean oscillation maximum. Our main result is that net biosynthesis can occur under fluctuating cyclical but not steady drive. Consequently we may revise the necessary condition to "dynamically far from equilibrium".