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Related Experiment Videos

Symmetry-breaking in chiral polymerisation.

Jonathan A D Wattis1, Peter V Coveney

  • 1Theoretical Mechanics, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. jonathan.wattis@nottingham.ac.uk

Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life
|October 18, 2005
PubMed
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This study models chiral polymerization, revealing a feedback mechanism that amplifies initial asymmetries. The system exhibits a long induction period followed by rapid polymer formation, leading to unstable symmetric states.

Area of Science:

  • Chemical kinetics
  • Polymer chemistry
  • Theoretical chemistry

Background:

  • Chiral polymerization involves the formation of polymers with specific handedness.
  • Homochiral polymers can influence monomer formation and are susceptible to inhibition by opposite-handed monomers.
  • Understanding the stability and dynamics of chiral polymerization is crucial for controlling polymer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and analyze a mathematical model for chiral polymerization.
  • To investigate the symmetric and asymmetric steady-state solutions of the model.
  • To explore the kinetic behavior and amplification of asymmetry in the chiral polymerization process.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a mathematical model describing chiral polymerization kinetics.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of the model's symmetric and asymmetric steady-state solutions.
  • Simulation of the system's dynamics from initial conditions with zero monomers and chains.

    • Main Results:

    • A positive feedback mechanism was identified, destabilizing the symmetric steady-state solution under specific conditions.
    • The model predicts a long induction time followed by a transient, explosive increase in polymer concentration.
    • Small initial asymmetries can be massively amplified during this transient phase.

    Conclusions:

    • The chiral polymerization model demonstrates a propensity for symmetry breaking.
    • The system can evolve towards stable asymmetric states due to amplified perturbations.
    • The findings have implications for understanding the emergence of chirality in polymer systems.