November 2, 2024

Life on Venus? MIT’s “Absolutely Surprising” Discovery of Amino Acid Stability

” In reality, the team has previously revealed that complex natural molecules such as some nucleic acids and fatty acids stay surprisingly steady in sulfuric acid.” If you think about the 4 significant building blocks of life as nucleic acid bases, amino acids, fatty acids, and carbs, we have demonstrated that some fatty acids can form micelles and blisters in sulfuric acid, and the nucleic acid bases are stable in sulfuric acid.” Now, with the discovery that many amino acids and nucleic acids are stable in 98 percent sulfuric acid, the possibility of life surviving in sulfuric acid might not be great or so far-fetched,” states Sanjay Limaye, a planetary scientist at the University of Wisconsin who has studied Venus for over 45 years, and who was not involved with this research study.

In specific, they found that the molecular “backbone” of all 19 amino acids stayed intact in sulfuric acid options ranging in concentration from 81 to 98 percent.” In reality, the team has actually previously revealed that intricate organic particles such as some nucleic acids and fatty acids stay surprisingly steady in sulfuric acid.” In other words, if certain molecules can continue in sulfuric acid, then perhaps the highly acidic clouds of Venus are habitable, if not necessarily inhabited.In their brand-new research study, the group turned their focus on amino acids– particles that combine to make vital proteins, each with their own specific function.” If you consider the four major structure blocks of life as nucleic acid bases, amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates, we have actually shown that some fatty acids can form micelles and blisters in sulfuric acid, and the nucleic acid bases are stable in sulfuric acid.” Now, with the discovery that lots of amino acids and nucleic acids are steady in 98 percent sulfuric acid, the possibility of life enduring in sulfuric acid may not be great or so improbable,” says Sanjay Limaye, a planetary researcher at the University of Wisconsin who has studied Venus for over 45 years, and who was not included with this study.