The Why behind Nature’s Choice of Biomolecule | Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy | TEDxDelNorteHighSchool

13 Jun 2024 (5 months ago)

RNA Structure and Function

The speaker, a synthetic organic chemist interested in the origins of life chemistry, discusses the molecule RNA and its structure.
Scientists question why RNA is composed of specific components such as ribos, phosphate linkers, and four specific nuclear bases.
Experiments involving different sugars and bases revealed that RNA's specific structure provides optimal function and base pairing properties.
The speaker highlights the importance of studying alternative structures to understand why a molecule is essential.

The speaker discusses the concept of "just right" selection, where nature selects molecules that are not necessarily the most complex or efficient but are optimally suited for their function.
The speaker emphasizes the role of the environment, particularly pH, in shaping the selection of biomolecules.
The pKa values of natural nuclear bases correspond to a pH of around 7, suggesting that the early Earth's pH may have influenced the selection of these bases.

The speaker draws parallels between DNA and RNA structures and soap molecules, highlighting the role of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions in their behavior.

Understanding the physicochemical properties of biomolecules at the molecular level can provide insights into higher-order functions and the selection of molecules by nature.

Purines and pyramidans are the two types of bases in DNA and RNA with different structures that affect their base-pairing properties.
The ribos backbone is the best way to stack the bases in the center and keep them far away from the water molecules.
The cyclic structure of the ribose sugar is essential for the base-pairing properties of RNA.
RNA is likely a product of chemical evolution as it is the only molecule that can meet all the requirements for functional genetic material.