Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Conditions on Early Earth02:06

Conditions on Early Earth

Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.
Origin of Cellular Life01:24

Origin of Cellular Life

The origin of life on Earth is a complex and enigmatic event rooted in ancient biochemical processes and geological conditions. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that life began with the spontaneous formation of organic molecules such as RNA nucleotides, amino acids, and lipids under early Earth conditions. Factors like volcanic activity, intense UV radiation, and a reducing atmosphere without free oxygen likely facilitated these reactions. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships among these organisms. Scientists infer organisms’ common ancestry by evaluating shared morphological and genetic characteristics. Together, the fossil...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Medium-term dexa analysis of an uncemented femoral component.

Hip international : the journal of clinical and experimental research on hip pathology and therapy·2017
Same author

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction and its relationship to cognitive reserve in elderly total joint replacement patients.

Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology·2016
Same author

Depression and anxiety after total joint replacement among older adults: a meta-analysis.

Aging & mental health·2015
Same author

The ontogeny of the chin: an analysis of allometric and biomechanical scaling.

Journal of anatomy·2015
Same author

Incidence of delirium following total joint replacement in older adults: a meta-analysis.

General hospital psychiatry·2015
Same author

Passive agglutination method using collagen-coated tanned sheep erythrocytes to demonstrate collagen-glycosaminoglycan interaction.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

How did 'biopolymers' evolve before life began?

J E Scott1

  • 1Chemical Morphology Dept, Cell and Structural Biology Dept, Chemistry Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Ionizing radiation products in water likely selected early life molecules. The hydrated electron (e(aq)(-)) and hydroxyl radical (OH·) offer insights into the survival of key biological structures and specific binding site selection.

More Related Videos

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration
08:45

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Published on: May 26, 2016

Conducting Miller-Urey Experiments
11:10

Conducting Miller-Urey Experiments

Published on: January 21, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration
08:45

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Published on: May 26, 2016

Conducting Miller-Urey Experiments
11:10

Conducting Miller-Urey Experiments

Published on: January 21, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Radiochemistry
  • Origin of Life Studies

Background:

  • The primordial soup contained polymers, but the selection mechanisms for prebiopolymers are not fully understood.
  • Ionizing radiation interacting with water produces highly reactive species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose that reactive products of ionizing radiation on water played a key role in selecting prebiopolymers.
  • To explore the specific roles of hydrated electrons (e(aq)(-)) and hydroxyl radicals (OH·) in this selection process.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of the properties of reactive species generated by ionizing radiation in water.
  • Review of experimental evidence supporting the proposed selection mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • The hydrated electron (e(aq)(-)) exhibits properties crucial for the survival of nucleic acids, DNA secondary structures, polypeptides, lipid membranes, and electron transport systems.
  • Hydroxyl radicals (OH·) may have been instrumental in the 'specificity selection' of binding sites.

Conclusions:

  • Reactive species from water radiolysis are plausible agents for prebiotic molecular selection.
  • The properties of e(aq)(-) and OH· provide a framework for understanding the emergence of complex biomolecules and structures from simpler precursors.