Core Argument

The barrier to preying on "mirror-image" life is likely lower than presumed due to:

1. Fats: Achiral Energy Bridge

Lipids (triglycerides), largely achiral, offer immediate energy. In E. coli for example, they constitute ~10% of dry mass, yielding ~27% of its macronutrient calories[1]). This non-chiral caloric gain from mirror prey could sustain predators during adaptation to chiral components.

2. Carbohydrates: L-Glucose Metabolism Evolved

L-glucose metabolism has evolved at least twice despite its rarity in nature:

[...]

---

Outline:

(00:10) Core Argument

(00:30) 1. Fats: Achiral Energy Bridge

(00:56) 2. Carbohydrates: L-Glucose Metabolism Evolved

(01:35) 3. Proteins: Racemases Handle D-Amino Acids

(02:09) Conclusion: Lowered Mirror Predation Barrier

The original text contained 4 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

---

First published:

Source:

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.