Prebiological Synthesis of Aminoacids and the Search for them in Meteorites and Lunar Rocks

New data on various prebiological syntheses of aminoacids and the detection of very small amounts of aminoacids in meteorites and lunar rocks are reviewed. Data are presented concerning the possible precursors of these aminoacids. The hitherto obscure problem of the mechanisms of the formation of aminoacids under the conditions of prebiological synthesis is considered.
The bibliography includes 156 references.