Vesicle Entry of Adenosine Mono-Phosphate | Janet Iwasa
Polar molecules such as AMP may enter fatty acid vesicles through interactions between the fatty acid head groups and the small molecule.
» View the animationEvolution / Origins of Life
Fatty Acid Vesicle Dynamics | Janet Iwasa
Although the vesicle structure itself as a whole is extremely stable, individual fatty acids within vesicles are extremely dynamic and are constantly joining and leaving the vesicle membrane. Protonated fatty acids (shown by the glowing hydrogen in the head group and the lighter colored tail) readily flip between the inner and outer leaflets of the membrane.
» View the animationFatty Acid Vesicle Formation | Janet Iwasa
De novo vesicle formation from fatty acid micelles – Protons are represented by the small glowing spheres. Upon protonation, the micelle structure becomes more fluid and may allow for larger numbers of micelles to join together. Vesicle formation occurs by chance after the fatty acid sheet has reached a threshold surface area.
» View the animationFatty Acid Formation in a Geyser | Janet Iwasa
This animation illustrates a theoretical means by which fatty acids may have been synthesized along the sides of mineral walls of hydrothermal vents or (in this case) a geyser.
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