koaservatdråper

Koaservatdråper are microscopic, spherical structures that form spontaneously when oppositely charged macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, are mixed in an aqueous solution. These droplets are considered a potential precursor to the first living cells, as they exhibit some life-like properties. They are not true cells and lack a membrane, but they can grow, divide, and selectively accumulate certain molecules from their surroundings. This accumulation ability is thought to be crucial for concentrating the necessary components for early metabolic processes.

The formation of koaservatdråper is driven by electrostatic attraction between the charged polymers. Depending on the concentration and types of macromolecules present, as well as the pH and ionic strength of the solution, the size and stability of the droplets can vary. They can absorb and concentrate small organic molecules, and within their boundaries, chemical reactions can occur at a higher rate than in the surrounding solution. This localized environment could have provided a protective and concentrating medium for the development of more complex biochemical systems. While their exact role in abiogenesis is still debated, koaservatdråper represent a significant model for understanding how non-living matter might have organized into pre-cellular structures.