Monday, September 9, 2013
AP Biology--Blog 3
Hey there! Hope everyone
had a great weekend. This week's blog post is about carbohydrates (sugars) and their
possible role in life on Earth. Sugars are the building blocks of
carbohydrates, the most abundant type of organic molecules in living things.
Glycolaldehyde, an eight-atom sugar, has even been found in an interstellar gas
cloud near the center of the Milky Way. Glycolaldehyde can react with a
three-carbon sugar to form ribose, the basis for both RNA and DNA, so the
glycolaldehyde found in deep space may be a chemical precursor to life on
Earth. That cloud also contains ethylene glycol, a sweet relative of
glycolaldehyde and the main ingredient in antifreeze. Either complex sugars can
be synthesized between the stars or there is a truck stop at the end of the
universe. In your blog post this week, please respond to this idea from
Discover magazine as well as to one other blogger's post. If you are this first
to respond, you will need to get on again later this week. Have a great day!
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The thought of complex sugars being synthesized between stars is quite interesting. Due to the process of nuclear fusion that occurs in stars, creating the elements needed to create these molecules, there is an abundance of materials that have been scattered through the universe that can be used to create these carbohydrates. The fact that these same molecules have been found somewhere else in our own galaxy serves a huge boost to the idea that life exists outside of our own planet. Maybe even in our own backyard, within our relatively close galactic neighbors.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty interesting to think that these sugars could be scattered throughout the universe. If the stars are going to make this form of energy maybe there would be a way to collect it. Granted, it would probably take a lot more energy to get there and collect it, but the idea of harvesting what could be an infinite abundance of energy is kinda awesome.
DeleteYea it would be really hard to collect the infinite amount of energy from around the universe and if you think about it stars themselves are kind of the infinite source of energy because everything pretty much needs at least a little heat to survive. Hopefully the sugars are moving towards another planet soon because I want scientists to discover aliens in my lifetime.
DeleteWhen you think about it, the existence of familiar substances elsewhere in the cosmos has to be expected, given the scale and longevity of the universe. It would then also stand to reason, that by the process of random occurrence, life has also formed elsewhere.
DeleteThe idea that atoms have been "created" or changed through fusion in the stars has been around for quite a while, and Miller's experiment shows that with enough of the right ingredients, energy can shove together atoms to make somewhat complex molecules. It should come as no surprise that these sugars have come to be. But, this by no means can back up other life forms existing that far off (assuming that's what was meant by "truck stop".
ReplyDeleteTrue. It doesn't exactly back up the claim that other life forms exist. The idea though that these molecules that are used as a rough base for the makeup of genetic sequences of life as we know it on earth and that they are found in space does make for an interesting predicament.
DeleteI agree, while this does nothing to show that other life exists, I think it merely shows us that there is the potential for life. Since these sugars are such fundamental molecules in our world it increases the chances of life.
DeleteThe fact that complex sugars have been found and created between stars in the proverbial emptiness of space brings about many interesting topics. The fact that a lot of life on Earth can be traced back to complex sugars and that they are fundamental to life make it seem much more probable that there is life elsewhere in the universe.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that life could exist outside of earth is fascinating.
DeleteI have never really thought about sugars being fundamental to life until reading the blog post. Pretty neat!
DeleteI find the fact that the key ingredients in DNA and RNA being found in our galaxy could be either what created us, or be on its way to becoming something else. The idea that complex sugars can be formed in stars and sent all over the universe makes me think, is there life out there? But "yes" and "no" being answers frighten me.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I think it's just crazy that hopefully, one day we will be able to answer yes or no to that question! And I also agree with the whole finding of these connections will either mean absolutely nothing or something big.
DeleteI think life does exist outside of our galaxy and the idea that a complex sugar is found to be a precursor of life and to exist in other galaxies is tremendously exciting.
DeleteI think it makes sense that the necessities for life would come from stars, because everyone on Earth is made from the remainders of stars. It is very interesting that carbohydrates would come from them though because when you think about stars, sugars are pretty much the last thing that you would think of because it seems that they would burn up in the stars.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! When I think of stars I think of gasses, light, and energy. Definitely not carbohydrates!
DeleteNothing is ever completely destroyed so we are just recycled pieces of stars. Mind blowing!
DeleteThe fact that we have found some of the things that are needed for life in the stars actually scares me a lot. Like if there is something like that near the milky way, there is a chance that might be some other life form. I think that either this discovery will either mean absolutely nothing or will turn into this huge fiasco. I understand that there are these sugars in the stars, essentially, but I'd like to know more about how this actually occurs.
ReplyDeleteIt scares me too, however there is something about it that I find empowering and cool. The possibility of life outside earth is crazy!
DeleteI think that it would be interesting to see life develop for the first time in "real" time as a new species is formed. I hope that one day scientist will release three-carbon sugar into the Milky Way. I also wonder if that same Glycolaldehyde reacted to form life on Earth.
DeleteI think it's crazy that there could be life other than us out there. I suppose if there's proof things seem more possible. But it's scary to think that we may not be the only ones. I find it interesting that there's sugar in the stars, not something you would think of everyday, makes you wonder what else is out there that is needed for life. I would like to know what else can be discovered out there.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to know what else can be discovered out there. Space is never ending and it seems only logical that there are other things that are necessary for life out there.
DeleteI feel the same way. I'm also afraid of the unknown. I think that the galaxy is huge and other life forms exist or have existed in the past.
DeleteTo have another life form or source of another type of life form in our own galaxy is just another thing that could lead to possible life even in our own galaxy not just the universe. maybe we are just not looking hard enough
DeleteI never really considered the stars as having anything that is needed for life. They've always seemed like a big ball of fire to me. It's also weird to think that something else that is needed for life is in space and it makes me wonder what it would do in a place that is suitable for life. It brings a lot more questions than answers.
ReplyDeleteWhenever people talk about space it is described as some great unknown and it has really made me think about what other things out there that may contribute to life. Can these building blocks find a place suitable for life and develop? It definitely poses more questions than answers.
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ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that the Glycolaldehyde can react with a three-carbon sugar to form ribose, therefore creating the basis for both RNA and DNA. I wonder why no scientist have capitalized on the idea of sending and releasing those three-carbon sugars in the Milk Way. I would be intrigued to see what would occur after, if such a thing was executed.
ReplyDeleteI find this blog extremely interesting because it is a concept I am not familiar with...I have never heard about it. DNA and RNA are topics I find extremely interesting and intriguing. The fact that Glycolaldehyde can react with a three-carbon sugar to form ribose is extremely cool. I makes me think about the possibility of life beyond earth.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the same page as you, because I'm not very familiar with the concept either. Life beyond Earth is definitely a scary thought to me because I think it would change many things in life, in humans as well as the environment and much more.
DeleteI think its cool that sugars that we consume here on earth have been found in the galaxy that we live in. I wonder what else they'll find...maybe cheeseburgers
ReplyDeleteWell recently I found out that scientists have discovered a huge cloud of pure alcohol that would be the equivalent to about 400 trillion pints of beer.
DeleteI think this idea is extremely interesting. I have heard of scientific research that trace life back to sugars. If they can trace and find molecules from earth and space, maybe life exists outside of earth.
ReplyDeleteI think that if sugar is a precursor of life then there is a chance that maybe there is other life in the universe.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to think that somehow something we put in our food could be traced back to space! I don't really understand all of the chemical and structural things about biology, but from what I am getting at glycolaldehyde is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that something as common as sugar that is found on earth, can be found in the the depths of outer space is truly remarkable. Though in my opinion life to exist somewhere outside of earth needs to have a little more than sugar. However its still a probability and does increase our chances of finding these "aliens" for we can narrow our searches of planets or galaxies that have similar components as this. So who knows maybe sugar just got a little sweeter... :)
ReplyDeleteNow that the sugars that help form both RNA and DNA have been discovered in the stars it raises some interesting questions. These sugars in space might have been what made it possible for life on Earth to develop in the first place and could possibly help future life forms develop. It makes you consider the questions of what is required to create life and also the impact it could potentially have on our Earth.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so cool how these sugars on Earth are found out in space. That the thing we put in our food is found trillions and trillions miles away. It just fascinates me. I think it's also really cool how Glyceraldehyde can react with a three-carbon sugar to form ribose's.
ReplyDeleteIt is cool. I wonder if this discovery will lead to more findings of different sugars in outer space?
DeleteI think that the discovery of Glycolaldehyde in outer space is an amazing discovery. The thought of these particles possibly being remnants of life forms is truly mind blowing. This discovery is just the beginning of our discoveries, there is so much more to discover in the universe.
ReplyDeleteI think it is both strange and interesting to think about how complex sugars are at the basis of life on Earth. I also found it intriguing that the ingredient to the basis of life was found in the same cloud that contained the basis of antifreeze. I think that the universe and outer space is a cool topic to learn about, however I don't know very much about it, so I think it's crazy that stars and outer space are connected to life on Earth!
ReplyDeleteHOW SWEET! I think that it is super interesting that life on Earth might be based off of sugar, a complex sugar to be exact. Since, this sugar is found else where in the universe perhaps it is the precursor of life on other planets. We already know of a few planets consisting of a similar make-up... what if all they needed was a little bit of sugar to sweeten things up a bit.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find interesting about this discovery is that molecular structures as complex as sugars have been found to exist independently in open space. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are light and small elements, and one would expect the necessity of an atmosphere or a significant gravitational influence for them to form stable molecules, given the potential abundance of high energy radiation in open space. But clearly this is not the case and it seems that the very seeds of life may simply float listlessly through the abyss, until a random eventuality sets them on the path to becoming a part of a sentient organism.
ReplyDeleteI think that the discovery of sugar in the galaxy is amazing. And to think that its amazing that these sugar particles could be building blocks to other life forms.
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty cool too that a molecule such as the sugar was found in our galaxy. Just imagine how much more space can offer to Earth with more complex sugars! What other cool inventions could we come up with, with the complex sugars we discover in the future?
Deletei think the discovery of sugar in space is pretty sweet! i just find it very cool that what is in our every day food was found in space!
ReplyDeleteI think the discovery of sugar in space is an example of how technologically advanced we are! It's amazing that sugars in our food can be traced all the out into space.
ReplyDeleteI think it's crazy how a carbohyrdate is so vital to all living organisms. Even more crazy is that we have found that Glycolaldehyde can be so also vitally important to our DNA and RNA. This eight-atom sugar also contains anti-freeze,which is the air conditioning ventilator for our cars,with out that we wouldn't be able to have air conditioning in our cars. I believe that these complex sugars are evolving in space,and we are just now seeing that, which in my opinion opens many new doors to even more complex molecules.
ReplyDeleteI think it's crazy how a carbohyrdate is so vital to all living organisms. Even more crazy is that we have found that Glycolaldehyde can be so also vitally important to our DNA and RNA. This eight-atom sugar also contains anti-freeze,which is the air conditioning ventilator for our cars,with out that we wouldn't be able to have air conditioning in our cars. I believe that these complex sugars are evolving in space,and we are just now seeing that, which in my opinion opens many new doors to even more complex molecules.
ReplyDelete