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Nature 419, 346-347 (26 September 2002) | doi:10.1038/419346a
Chemistry: Shattered mirrors
Jay S. Siegel
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Abstract
How did the preference for 'single-handedness' in biological molecules arise? Amplification of the trace imbalance in a mixture of handed molecules bolsters the case for chance being the answer.
Some molecules are chiral — they exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other, right-handed and left-handed. Thus it seems reasonable that reactions that form chiral molecules from purely achiral precursors should produce equal amounts of each handed form to preserve achiral symmetry.
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