koacervate

Koacervates are microscopic droplets formed from the spontaneous association of oppositely charged polymers in a solution. These droplets, also known as coacervates, are a type of liquid-liquid phase separation. They typically consist of a concentrated aqueous solution of macromolecules, such as proteins, polysaccharides, or nucleic acids, suspended in a dilute aqueous solution. The formation of koacervates is driven by electrostatic attraction between the charged polymers.

The study of koacervates is particularly relevant to the field of abiogenesis, the origin of life from non-living matter. In the early Earth's conditions, it is hypothesized that koacervates could have acted as primitive protocells. Their ability to encapsulate other molecules, such as enzymes or genetic material, within their boundaries suggests a mechanism for concentrating reactants and creating a distinct internal environment. This compartmentalization is considered a crucial step in the evolution of cellular life.

Alexander Oparin, a Soviet biochemist, extensively researched koacervates in the mid-20th century and proposed them as a plausible model for early life. He suggested that these droplets could have selectively absorbed molecules from their surroundings, leading to an increase in complexity and the development of metabolic processes. While koacervates are not living cells, their ability to exhibit some life-like properties, such as growth and division under certain conditions, makes them a valuable subject for understanding the transition from chemical systems to biological ones.