Prebiotic Evolution: ATP Energy

Odds of ATP and Adenine Synthesis

In chapter 13, it was shown that life requires 11 enzymes with 4,527 amino acids to synthesize adenine. But without ATP, these enzymes cannot function and offer no selective advantage, so the true number is 4527 + 335 = 4862.

   To calculate the total molecular knowledge, multiply the number of amino acids by the 3.16 bits per amino acid calculated in this chapter.

Total Molecular Knowledge = 4862 X 3.16 = 15, 364 bits.

Or alternatively, if one assumes the genetic code is already in place:

Total Molecular Knowledge = 4862 X 0.57 = 2771 bits.

G3PD is shown below. The black and gray amino acids are higher conserved. Notice that all of the conserved amino acids are clustered on one side of the molecule.

Figure 14.8: G3PD - Front and Back Views






           

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