Prebiotic Formation of Amino Acids in a Neutral Atmosphere by Electric Discharge

Abstract

On the way to life, the formation of amino acids on the primordial earth was one of the essential prerequisites. To date, this formation could only be explained assuming a reducing atmosphere, which according to contemporary geochemistry could not have existed. Simulating a neutral primitive CO2/N2/H2O atmosphere above liquid water with frequent electric discharges (see picture) provides a model for the formation of peptides, and thus proteins and ultimately life.