Was the Environment for Primordial Life Hypersaline?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9783186&dopt=Abstract

Ian Dundas, University of Bergen


This journal article explores the possibility that Halobacteria may have been one of the original forms of life. Many scientists are turning to Archaea as having a role in the origin of life, but bypass halophiles due to their general aerobic nature. The author argues that the prebiotic world might have been an aqueous hypersaline environment. The author also argues that Halobacteria should not be dismissed as candidates because they have versatility in ATP production, are nonconformists, and are able to protect themselves against photodestruction (destruction by light, the Sun) through the use of bacteriorhodopsin.


Subject: Biology:Evolution:Principles, Patterns, Biology:Astrobiology, Microbiology
Resource Type: Scientific Resources:Overview/Reference Work
Grade Level: Graduate/Professional, College Upper (15-16), College Lower (13-14)
Extreme Environments: Hypersaline