There are 20 amino acids required for forming the complex proteins needed for living organisms.
Astronomers a the University of Illinois have recently reported the discovery of one of these, acetic acid (CH3COOH), in a distant cloud near the center of our Milky Way called 'Sagittarius B2'. The amino acid glycene (NH2-CH2-COOH) has also been detected.
So far, over 119 different molecules with up to 13 atoms have already been detected by astronomers. For a complete list, visit Al Wooten's page at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The largest of these is HC11N...which has a hydrogen atom, and a nitrogen atom joined by a chain of 9 carbon atoms.
Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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