Academic Journal
On the transitional character and regularity of planetary abiogenesis.
| Τίτλος: | On the transitional character and regularity of planetary abiogenesis. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Dolgikh S; Department of Artificial Intelligence, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 12, Stepana Bandery Ave Lviv, Ukraine. Electronic address: sdolgikh@kai.edu.ua. |
| Πηγή: | Bio Systems [Biosystems] 2026 Jan; Vol. 259, pp. 105660. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Nov 21. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Elsevier Science Ireland Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 0430773 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-8324 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03032647 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Biosystems Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Limerick : Elsevier Science Ireland Original Publication: Amsterdam, North-Holland Pub. Co. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Exobiology*/methods , Evolution, Planetary* , Planets*, Extraterrestrial Environment/chemistry |
| Περίληψη: | The emergence of biology from planetary chemistry remains one of the central open questions in planetary physics, chemistry and biochemistry. In this study, we address an important aspect of this problem: whether abiogenesis is a statistically regular process under broadly defined planetary conditions, or a unique, highly contingent event. To examine it, we introduce a conceptual framework of regularity-relevant classes of adaptive planetary physico-chemical systems: the adaptability ladder model, that formalizes the progression from chemically rich but unorganized environments to stable biochemical systems. The model provides a structured approach to the regularity question, examining potential constrains and bottlenecks in specific adaptive classes and formulate formal statements of the regularity hypothesis: specialized for individual classes and strong (or general) across the full adaptive spectrum. We then assess their differential detectability across observation channels: laboratory simulation, in situ exploration, and remote sensing. Our analysis reveals a strong complementarity between detection channels and the regularity classes, with fragile proto-biotic states accessible primarily through laboratory studies. We observe that under the regularity hypothesis, such early adaptive states should emerge reproducibly under appropriate simulated planetary conditions. This result establishes a direct and testable link between laboratory experimentation and the general question of the regularity of biological emergence, positioning lab-based studies as central to future progress. The framework extends conventional definitions of planetary habitability, traditionally focused on terrestrial-class physical and chemical conditions by incorporating informational aspects, specifically compositional and interactive diversity. This broader perspective informs the strategic prioritization of empirical search efforts, bridging theoretical insights with observable planetary conditions. (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Abiogenesis; Astrochemistry; Autocatalytic systems; Biochemistry; Planetary astrobiology; Planetary chemical systems; Regularity hypothesis |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251123 Date Completed: 20260110 Latest Revision: 20260110 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.biosystems.2025.105660 |
| PMID: | 41275900 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1872-8324 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.biosystems.2025.105660 |