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Order and Complexity in the RNA World.

Christian Mayer1

  • 1Institute of Physical Chemistry, CENIDE, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 29, 2023
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The RNA world hypothesis suggests self-replicating RNA strands drove early life. Order and complexity of RNA sequences are key to molecular evolution, influencing system entropy.

Keywords:
RNA worldcomplexityentropymolecular evolutionorderorigin of lifeprebiotic chemistrystatistical thermodynamics

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Area of Science:

  • Origin of Life Studies
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The RNA world hypothesis is a leading model for early life's origins.
  • RNA molecule functionality is critically dependent on sequence order and length (complexity).
  • Understanding the evolution of RNA order and complexity is vital for prebiotic chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define and quantify 'order' and 'complexity' in RNA sequences within an RNA world model.
  • To identify mechanisms driving the development of RNA order and complexity.
  • To provide a thermodynamic perspective on molecular evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a general RNA world scenario with free monomer units.
  • Defined sequential order using principles of statistical thermodynamics.
  • Determined complexity via the size of a minimal descriptive algorithm.

Main Results:

  • An order/complexity diagram illustrates molecular evolution progress with a diagonal line.
  • Random polymerization and selection follow specific pathways towards increased functionality.
  • Defined RNA polymer sequences impact the overall system's entropy.

Conclusions:

  • Order and complexity are quantifiable parameters crucial for RNA-based molecular evolution.
  • The model provides a thermodynamic framework for understanding the emergence of functional RNA.
  • This research offers insights into the fundamental processes driving the origin of life.