"Graphite's Role in Forming Earth's Prebiotic Molecules"
Graphite, likely formed from giant impactors hitting Earth 4.3 billion years ago, may have triggered the creation of prebiotic molecules essential for the onset of life. Laboratory simulations by planetary astrochemists at Cambridge University suggest that graphite offers a potential route towards prebiotic chemistry, with heating of organic tar likely producing molecules for life's building blocks. The process involves the formation of nitriles, which can lead to the creation of adenine, a base for RNA and DNA, and eventually sugar. However, achieving chemical diversity while minimizing unwanted reactions remains a challenge, and further experiments are needed to validate the model's predictions.
