Welcome to the forum!
I think you are referencing the Miller-Urey experiment that showed the formation of amino acids from simpler compounds. I don't remember if they claimed that these amino acids polymerized into a peptide (short protein) or not. Anyway, proteins are polymers whose subunits are amino acids, that is amino acids are the pearls of a pearl necklace, so to speak. Here is a general diagram:
(added in Edit: The R and H are supposed to line up with the middle Carbon (C). For some reason the darn thing won't let me slide them over.)
* R
* |
* (-)COOH----C----NH4(+)
* |
* H
The R represents the different R groups that exist in amino acids (alanine has a simple methyl group as an R group for example). The negative and positive charges on the right and left allow the amino acids to bond to each other like opposing poles on a magnet. This process results in peptide bonds (the COOH- from one amino acid binds to the NH4+ from another). This is important in that it is simple chemistry. Because of this, peptides (short proteins) can be made outside of the cell using chemistry and special lab equipment. So, no, proteins do not require some "living energy" in order to form, but it is difficult to build long chains outside of the cell. The same can be said for lipids as well, not all sources of lipid are biological.
Just a general comment. The theory of abiogenesis (the process of getting life from non-life) is still in it's infancy. Also, it is not tied to the theory of evolution. Evolution starts with the first replicating organism and describes how species were formed after life started. The two theories are not necessarily the same theory. Anyway, hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by Loudmouth, 01-12-2004]
[This message has been edited by Loudmouth, 01-12-2004]
[This message has been edited by Loudmouth, 01-12-2004]
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