Sticking coefficient-orchestrated selection in a kinetic model for the first origin.

Area of Science:

• Origin of Life Studies
• Chemical Kinetics
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Freeman Dyson's "Toy Model" proposed discrete metabolic states for early life.
• Previous models often simplified the complex kinetics of early metabolic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine conditions for quantized metabolism using a steady-state Poisson equation.
• To evaluate Dyson's Toy Model against more realistic metabolic scenarios.
• To investigate the role of surface reactions and sticking coefficients in prebiotic selection.

Main Methods:

• Applied steady-state Poisson equation formalism to a variant of Dyson's Toy Model.
• Utilized a kinetic approach to analyze metabolic quantization.
• Incorporated surface reaction machinery and sticking coefficients for realistic modeling.
• Employed Dyson's mean field approach to simplify sticking coefficients.

Main Results:

• Disorder-order transition models based on random drift do not generally extend to realistic metabolisms.
• Ordered metabolism emerges under hydrothermal driving forces, not spontaneous discretization.
• Vent dormancy correlates with discrete zero-source metabolic states.
• Positive feedback preserves order, while negative feedback inhibits excessive growth.

Conclusions:

• Realistic metabolisms likely emerge from hydrothermal forces, challenging discrete state models.
• Sticking coefficients act as crucial prebiotic selectors.
• Feedback mechanisms are essential for maintaining metabolic order and preventing deterioration.