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European Review (2005), 13 : 49-59 Cambridge University Press
Copyright © Academia Europaea 2005
doi:10.1017/S1062798705000657
Published online by Cambridge University Press 22 Aug 2005
 
Symmetry and Asymmetry

On the physical origin of the homochirality of life

DAVID B.  CLINE a1
a1 Astrophysics Division, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. E-mail: dcline@physics.ucla.edu

Abstract

It seems to be well known that life cannot arise in a racemic mixture of molecules (L=D). The various physical mechanisms that could influence the homochirality of the molecules responsible for life are reviewed together with a model where these molecules might be produced in the galaxy prior to the formation of the earth. The focus is on the influence of a powerful supernovae explosion to affect the homochirality of these molecules. Possible tests of this concept with meteorites and future space missions are described.


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