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Secondary Electrons as an Energy Source for Life
Kamil B Stelmach1, Marc Neveu2, Trista J Vick-Majors3,4
11 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University , Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
Astrobiology
|January 10, 2018
Summary
Extraterrestrial life may harness radiation-generated electrons for energy through direct or indirect electrophy. These novel mechanisms, including fluorosynthesis, expand potential habitats for microbial life in the Solar System and beyond.
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology
- Biochemistry
- Radiation Biology
Background:
- Life requires liquid solvent, nutrients, and energy.
- Extraterrestrial life hypotheses include indirect energy from radiation via radiolytic products.
- Electrophilic organisms on Earth use extracellular electron flow to synthesize biomolecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose two novel mechanisms for extraterrestrial life to harness extracellular electrons: direct electrophy and indirect electrophy (fluorosynthesis).
- To expand the range of potential extraterrestrial habitats by considering electron-harnessing metabolisms.
- To assess the feasibility of these mechanisms through calculations and discuss survival strategies.
Main Methods:
- Hypothetical modeling of two electron-harnessing mechanisms: direct electrophy and indirect electrophy (fluorosynthesis).
- Calculation of attainable biomass density based on supplied energy.
- Discussion of potential survival strategies and terrestrial validation experiments.
Main Results:
- Direct electrophy: microbial cells harness secondary electrons directly from particle radiation for energy.
- Indirect electrophy (fluorosynthesis): organisms use secondary electrons and fluorescing molecules to drive photosynthesis.
- Calculations suggest viable biomass densities are possible with these energy sources.
Conclusions:
- Direct and indirect electrophy offer plausible pathways for microbial life to utilize radiation-derived electrons.
- These mechanisms broaden the scope of habitable environments, particularly on icy moons.
- Further experiments and observations are needed to validate these hypotheses for extraterrestrial life.
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