koaservasjon

Koaservasjon is a process by which different types of molecules separate from a homogeneous solution into two distinct liquid phases. This phenomenon was first described by the Russian biochemist Aleksandr Oparin in the 1920s and 1930s as a potential step in the origin of life. Oparin proposed that coacervates could have formed spontaneously in the primordial soup of early Earth, concentrating organic molecules and creating a microenvironment conducive to further chemical reactions.

These coacervate droplets are not cells, as they lack a true membrane, but they exhibit some life-like properties. They can selectively absorb substances from their surroundings, grow by accumulating more material, and even undergo simple division. The internal environment of a coacervate can differ significantly from the external solution, allowing for a degree of internal chemical regulation.

The formation of coacervates typically involves the interaction of oppositely charged macromolecules, such as proteins and polysaccharides, in an aqueous solution. When the conditions are right, these molecules aggregate to form colloidal droplets that are relatively stable. The specific composition and properties of coacervates depend on the types of molecules involved and the surrounding environmental conditions, such as pH and ionic strength. While coacervates are no longer considered the primary model for the origin of life, they remain an interesting subject of study in the field of abiogenesis and in understanding the principles of self-organization in chemical systems.