Microscopic Dissipative Structuring at the Origin of Life

Fundamental molecules of life are suggested to be formed, proliferated, and evolved through microscopic dissipative structuring and autocatalytic replication under the UV-C solar spectrum prevalent at Earths surface throughout the Archean. Evidence is given in the numerous salient characteristics of these, including their strong absorption in this spectral region, their rapid non-radiative decay through an inherent conical intersection, UV-C activation (phos-phorylation) of nucleotides, and UV-C induced denaturing of double helix RNA and DNA. The examples of the dissipative structuring and dissipative proliferation of the purines and of single strand DNA are given. This provides a physical-chemical foundation for understanding the origin and evolution of life.