Etta Peterson

Bio: Etta Peterson is an academic researcher from Ames Research Center. The author has contributed to research in topics: Murchison meteorite & Amino acid. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 21 publications receiving 1771 citations.

Evidence for extraterrestrial amino-acids and hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite.

Abstract: Extraterrestrial abiotic amino acids and hydrocarbons in type II carbonaceous chondrite at Murchison, Australia

Abstracts of Contributed Papers

Abstract: The strength of the K line of singly ionized calcium has been measured for several hundred A-type stars within a few hundred parsecs of the Sun and for the A stars in several galactic star clusters. The derived abundance of calcium varies from star to star by up to a factor of 2, and there is no correlation of abundance with the space motion of the stars.

Racemization of Amino Acids in Bones

Abstract: IT has been shown that the extent of racemization of amino acids in a fossil can be used with certain limitations to estimate the age of the specimen1–6. For this dating work it is necessary to understand the kinetics and mechanism of the reactions involved. Here we show, by kinetic studies using modern bovine bone fragments heated in sealed ampoules for various time periods at several elevated temperatures, that the order of racemization rates of amino acids in bone is aspartic acid>alanine=glutamic acid>isoleucine≅leucine. Fossil bones not contaminated with modern amino acids are shown to have the same sequence of racemization rates.

Peptide synthesis from amino acids in aqueous solution.

Abstract: Four dipeptides and a tripeptide were formed when an aqueous solution of glycine and leucine was exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of cyanamide.

Herbivory in relation to plant nitrogen content

Abstract: The nitrogen content of a plant is only one of the many plant characteristics that are vitally important to herbivores. However, because of its central role in all metabolic processes as well as in cellular structure and genetic coding, nitrogen is a critical element in the growth of all organisms. Supplementary N often elicits enhanced health, growth, reproduction, and survival in many organisms. This suggests that N is a limiting factor. Since N makes up a large portion of the earth's atmosphere (about 78%), the problem is not an absolute but a relative shortage-that is, a scarcity of usable or metaboliza­ ble N during critical growth periods (159, 328). Plants encounter shortages of inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and/or ammonium ions); animals experience shortages of organic nitrogen (specific proteins and/or amino acids). This article reviews and examines the evidence (a) that N is scarce and perhaps a limiting nutrient for many herbivores, and (b) that in response to this selection pressure, many herbivores have evolved specific behavioral, morphological, physiological, and other adaptations to cope with and uti­ lize the ambient N levels of their normal haunts. McNeill & Southwood (201) and White (328) have also reviewed these general questions. There­ fore, this review explores additional evidence and further develops the fundamental arguments. The review is organized into three major divisions. The first focuses on important sources of variation in plant N (seasonal and ontogenetic trends, different tissues and species, etc) because such variation may be the basis

The larger acenes: versatile organic semiconductors.

Abstract: Acenes have long been the subject of intense study because of the unique electronic properties associated with their pi-bond topology. Recent reports of impressive semiconductor properties of larger homologues have reinvigorated research in this field, leading to new methods for their synthesis, functionalization, and purification, as well as for fabricating organic electronic components. Studies performed on high-purity acene single crystals revealed their intrinsic electronic properties and provide useful benchmarks for thin film device research. New approaches to add functionality were developed to improve the processability of these materials in solution. These new functionalization strategies have recently allowed the synthesis of acenes larger than pentacene, which have hitherto been largely unavailable and poorly studied, as well as investigation of their associated structure/property relationships.

Search for past life on Mars: possible relic biogenic activity in martian meteorite ALH84001.

Abstract: Fresh fracture surfaces of the martian meteorite ALH84001 contain abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These fresh fracture surfaces also display carbonate globules. Contamination studies suggest that the PAHs are indigenous to the meteorite. High-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy study of surface textures and internal structures of selected carbonate globules show that the globules contain fine-grained, secondary phases of single-domain magnetite and Fe-sulfides. The carbonate globules are similar in texture and size to some terrestrial bacterially induced carbonate precipitates. Although inorganic formation is possible, formation of the globules by biogenic processes could explain many of the observed features, including the PAHs. The PAHs, the carbonate globules, and their associated secondary mineral phases and textures could thus be fossil remains of a past martian biota.

Exchange-biased quantum tunnelling in a supramolecular dimer of single-molecule magnets

Abstract: Various present and future specialized applications of magnets require monodisperse, small magnetic particles, and the discovery of molecules that can function as nanoscale magnets was an important development in this regard. These molecules act as single-domain magnetic particles that, below their blocking temperature, exhibit magnetization hysteresis, a classical property of macroscopic magnets. Such 'single-molecule magnets' (SMMs) straddle the interface between classical and quantum mechanical behaviour because they also display quantum tunnelling of magnetization and quantum phase interference. Quantum tunnelling of magnetization can be advantageous for some potential applications of SMMs, for example, in providing the quantum superposition of states required for quantum computing. However, it is a disadvantage in other applications, such as information storage, where it would lead to information loss. Thus it is important to both understand and control the quantum properties of SMMs. Here we report a supramolecular SMM dimer in which antiferromagnetic coupling between the two components results in quantum behaviour different from that of the individual SMMs. Our experimental observations and theoretical analysis suggest a means of tuning the quantum tunnelling of magnetization in SMMs. This system may also prove useful for studying quantum tunnelling of relevance to mesoscopic antiferromagnets.