“On Earth, life uses left-handed amino acids and right-handed sugars. Since it’s possible that the opposite would work fine–right-handed amino acids and left-handed sugars. Scientists want to know where this preference came from,” the report explained.”
I’ve wondered that for years.
It’s a right handed universe.
Seashells of sea snails are typically right-handed, that is the opening is on the right side, except for one species called a ‘Left-Handed Whelk’ which is normally left side opening.
Finding a shell of a left-handed version of a normally right-handed species is rare and is worth money to collectors.................
I’ve wondered that for years.
The best explanation for chirality that I have found is that the galaxy's magnetic field causes sunlight / starlight to be circularly polarized in one direction only, which preferentially degrades D-amino acids and favors L-amino acids.
Also, the weak nuclear force is (supposedly) chiral. The electrons emitted during beta decay favor one spin state; again making D-amino acids slightly more unstable than the L forms.
I’ve wondered that for years.
Like the difference between Levomethamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine. One is a vasoconstrictor in a nasal inhaler and the other gets you a prison sentence.
It's like Alice through the looking glass.
When I first read that on my Vicks nasal inhaler I was taken aback to say the least.