Molecular assembly indices of mineral heteropolyanions: some abiotic molecules are as complex as large biomolecules
- PMID: 38378136
- PMCID: PMC10878807
- DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0632
Molecular assembly indices of mineral heteropolyanions: some abiotic molecules are as complex as large biomolecules
Abstract
Molecular assembly indices, which measure the number of unique sequential steps theoretically required to construct a three-dimensional molecule from its constituent atomic bonds, have been proposed as potential biosignatures. A central hypothesis of assembly theory is that any molecule with an assembly index ≥15 found in significant local concentrations represents an unambiguous sign of life. We show that abiotic molecule-like heteropolyanions, which assemble in aqueous solution as precursors to some mineral crystals, range in molecular assembly indices from 2 for H2CO3 or Si(OH)4 groups to as large as 21 for the most complex known molecule-like subunits in the rare minerals ewingite and ilmajokite. Therefore, values of molecular assembly indices ≥15 do not represent unambiguous biosignatures.
Keywords: Titan; assembly theory; heteropolyanion; mineral evolution; molecular complexity.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
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