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Ponnamperuma, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Ponnamperuma, C..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Radiolysis of aqueous solutions of acetic acid in the presence of Na-montmorillonite

The gamma-irradiation of 0.8 mol dm-3 aqueous, oxygen-free acetic acid solutions was investigated in the presence or absence of Na-montmorillonite. H2, CH4, CO, CO2, and several polycarboxylic acids were formed in all systems. The primary characteristics observed in the latter system were: (1) Higher yield of the decomposition of acetic acid; (2) Lower yield of the formation of polycarboxylic acids; (3) No effect on the formation of methane; (4) Higher yield of the formation of carbon dioxide; and (5) The reduction of Fe3+ in the octahedral sites of Na-montmorillonite. A possible reaction scheme was proposed to account for the observed changes. The results are important in understanding heterogeneous processes in radiation catalysis and might be significant to prebiotic chemistry.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1989

Chemical evolution and the origin of life: bibliography supplement 1985

This bibliography is the seventeenth annual supplement to the comprehensive bibliography on the same subject which was published in Space Life Sci. 2(1970), 225-295; 3(1972), 293-304; 4(1973), 309-329 and in Origins of Life 5(1974), 505-527; 6(1975), 285-300; 7(1976), 75-85; 8(1977), 59-66; 9(1978), 67-74; 10(1980), 69-87; 10(1980), 379-404; 11(1981), 273-288; 12(1982), 93-118; 13(1983), 61-80; 15(1984), 55-69; 17(1987), 171-184; 17(1987), 185-206.

NASA Program Exobiology↗
NASA NTRS1986

Synthesis and analysis in studies of chemical evolution

Studies of the various processes that may have given rise to life on the Earth have demonstrated the appropriateness of an approach that makes use of analysis and synthesis. Analysis of extraterrestrial samples in the form of meteorites has demonstrated the presence of several precursors of biomolecules, most notably a full suite of nucleic acid bases and nucleotides of biological significance. These species were determined after exhaustive extraction of the sample and subsequent analysis using HPLC, GC, MS, and GC-MS. Procedural blanks indicate that these molecules are likely not the result of contamination during the extraction and analysis process. Similar species were found as products of spark discharge experiments in atmospheres thought to mimic primitive Earth conditions. These results indicate that the basic chemistry underlying these syntheses is common, and that life may not be unique to the Earth. Studies underway in the laboratory make use of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a probe to assess associations between selected amino acids and any of several nucleotides comprising their genetic code and genetic anticode sequences. These studies demonstrate a clear selectivity by the anticode sequences, thus confirming the hydrophobicity studies performed by Lacey et al. These studies further support the contention that life is likely a natural result of the physics and chemistry of the universe.

Ponnamperuma, C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

On archaebacterial ATPase from Halobacterium saccharovorum

The energy transducing ATPase from Halobacterium saccharovorum was studied in order to define the origin of energy transducing systems. The ATPase required high salt concentration (4M NaCl) for activity; activity was rapidly lost when NaCl was below 1 Molar. At low salt concentration, the membrane bound ATPase activity could be stabilized in presence of spermine. However, following solubilization spermine was ineffective. Furthermore, F1 ATPase activity was stabilized by ammonium sulfate even when the NaCl concentration was less than 1 Molar. These studies suggest that stabilization by hydrophobic interactions preceded ionic ones in the evolution of the energy transducing ATPases.

Kristjansson, H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Role of succinic acid in chemical evolution

Succinic acid is converted into other carboxylic acids by ionizing radiation. The results obtained have been correlated with the ready formation of this compound in prebiotic experiments. Its role in biological systems may be related to its prebiotic occurrence.

Negron-Mendoza, A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effect of polynucleotides on the dimerization of glycine

Results from experiments to determine the effect of polynucleotides on abiological formation of peptide bonds are reported. The reaction between glycine molecules in an aqueous phase in the presence of a condensing agent was chosen as a model, with polyphosphates being selected as the condensing agent for biologically relevant peptide formation. Four types of polynucleotides were used: polygluanic acid (G), polyuridic acid (U), polyadenylic acid (A), and polycytidylic acid (C); the effects of small anions, acetate, chloride, and phosphate, were also studied. Procedures are given, including concentrations, pH, and incubation time, and the type of amino acid analyzer. The diglycine yields were, in order of most to least: G, C, A, U, and are diagrammed as a function of time; rate of formation followed the same order of magnitude as the final yields. Anion presence displayed no discernible effect. The results are taken to indicate that polynucleotides do have an effect on the formation of peptide bonds, an effect significant in the understanding of chemical evolution.

Mizutani, H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Comets and the origin of life; Proceedings of the Fifth College Park Colloquium on Chemical Evolution, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, October 29-31, 1980

Papers are presented concerning the characteristics of comets and their possible role in the origin of life. Specific topics include the characteristics, origin and structure of the cometary nucleus, cometary chemical abundances, the nature of interplanetary dust and its entry into terrestrial planet atmospheres, and the mechanism of ray closure in comet tails. Attention is also given to chemically evolved interstellar dust as a source of prebiotic material, the relation of comets to paleoatmospheric photochemistry, comets as a vehicle for panspermia, limits to life posed by extreme environments, and the status of cometary space missions as of 1980.

Ponnamperuma, C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Organic analysis of the Antarctic carbonaceous chondrites

Thus far, organic analysis of carbonaceous chondrites has proven the only fruitful means of examining complex organic matter of extraterrestrial origin. The present paper presents the results of organic analysis of two Antarctic meteorites, Allan Hills (77306) and Yamato (74662), which may be considered free from terrestrial contamination. Ion-exchange chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectrometery of meteorite samples reveal the presence in Yamato of 15 and in Allan Hills of 20 protein and nonprotein amino acids, the most abundant of which are glycine and alanine. Abundances of the D and L enantiomers of each amino acid are also found to be nearly equal. Data thus indicate an abiotic extraterrestrial origin for the matter, and confirm a lack of terrestrial contamination.

Kotra, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Possible role of phosphine in chemical evolution

Experiments simulating the formation of organic molecules in model reducing atmospheres including phosphine show that a variety of organic molecules can be synthesized. From the experiments using UV light as an energy source, it appears that the presence of phosphine drastically increases the yield of photolysis of methane and, thus, the yield of the formation of organic matter. The presence of phosphine enhances the formation of organophosphorous compounds, such as methyl and dimethylphosphine.

Raulin, F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Possible selective adsorption of enantiomers by Na-montmorillonite

Racemic amino acids including (D,L) alpha-alamine, (D,L) alpha-aminobutyric acid, (D,L) valine, and (D,L) norvaline were incubated with Na-montmorillonite at 100% CEC at three hydrogen ion concentrations, and amino acid adsorption was determined by ion exchange chromatography. Enantiomers were analyzed by gas chromatography. Differences in the quantities of D and L enantiomers in any of the fractions was no larger than a few percent. Although a large difference in the adsorption of the amino acid enantiomers was not observed, the analysis may indicate a small preferential adsorption (0.5-2%) of L-amino acids by Na-montmorillonite.

Friebele, E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Gamma-irradiation of malic acid in aqueous solutions

The gamma-irradiation of malic acid in aqueous solutions was studied under initially oxygenated and oxygen-free conditions in an attempt to determine the possible interconversion of malic acid into other carboxylic acids, specifically those associated with Krebs cycle. The effect of dose on product formation of the system was investigated. Gas-liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry was used as the principal means of identification of the nonvolatile products. Thin layer chromatography and direct probe mass spectroscopy were also employed. The findings show that a variety of carboxylic acids are formed, with malonic and succinic acids in greatest abundance. These products have all been identified as being formed in the gamma-irradiation of acetic acid, suggesting a common intermediary. Since these molecules fit into a metabolic cycle, it is strongly suggestive that prebiotic pathways provided the basis for biological systems.

Negron-Mendoza, A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Observations of the spectrum of Jupiter from 1500 to 2000 A with the IUE

The paper examines the far-UV spectrum of Jupiter recorded by observations with the International Ultraviolet Explorer, noting that only the upper levels of the plant's atmosphere are sampled. It is shown that there are several absorptions caused by C2H2 and indications that NH3 may also be present at these altitudes. In addition, it is suggested that PH3 may also play a role as a continuum absorber, and a new upper limit of 5 x 10 to the -9 on H2S/H2 forbidden line ratio. It is concluded that these results are consistent with existing models for Jovian photochemistry and atmospheric structure.

Owen, T.↗