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A protocell (or protobiont) is a self-organized, endogenously ordered, spherical collection of lipids proposed as a rudimentary precursor to cells during the origin of life.[1][2] A central question in evolution is how simple protocells first arose and how their progeny could diversify, thus enabling the accumulation of novel biological emergences over time (i.e. biological evolution). Although a functional protocell has not yet been achieved in a laboratory setting, the goal to understand the process appears well within reach.[3][4][5][6]
A protocell is a pre-cell in abiogenesis, and was a contained system consisting of simple biologically relevant molecules like ribozymes, and encapsulated in a simple membrane structure – isolating the entity from the environment and other individuals – thought to consist of simple fatty acids, mineral structures, or rock-pore structures.
- ^ Chen, Irene A.; Walde, Peter (July 2010). "From Self-Assembled Vesicles to Protocells". Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2 (7): a002170. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a002170. PMC 2890201. PMID 20519344.
- ^ Garwood, Russell J. (2012). "Patterns In Palaeontology: The first 3 billion years of evolution". Palaeontology Online. 2 (11): 1–14. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ National Science Foundation (2013). "Exploring Life's Origins – Protocells". Retrieved 2014-03-18.
- ^ Chen, Irene A. (8 December 2006). "The Emergence of Cells During the Origin of Life". Science. 314 (5805): 1558–59. doi:10.1126/science.1137541. PMID 17158315.
- ^ Zimmer, Carl (26 June 2004). "What Came Before DNA?". Discover Magazine: 1–5.
- ^ Rasmussen, Steen (2 July 2014). "Scientists Create Possible Precursor to Life". A Letters Journal Exploring the Frontiers of Physics. Vol. 107, no. 2. Astrobiology Web. Retrieved 2014-10-24.