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18:47
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Originally posted by tristanc
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The best hypotheses, IMO, begin with certain mineral surfaces acting as the catalysts for polymerisation. Bentonite clays and phosphate minerals in particular are used by synthetic chemists even today. The repetitive atomic structure of these surfaces (they're effectively crystalline lattices) act to line up particular precursor molecules, helping them to react with each other. Hit the right set of conditions, and you'll find yourself churning out polynucleotides.
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To be sure, self assembly of molecules on suitable substrates is key and is echoed all the way up to the formation of complex proteins but I can't say I understand it~!
