Episode 10/13: Lipids // A Course on Abiogenesis by Dr. James Tour

In this episode, Dr. James Tour teaches the 4th class of compounds needed for life: lipids and phospholipids, including their structures and organizational assemblies. With the thousands of different lipid structures identified in cell membranes, a discussion of whether simple lipid bilayers can be suitable cell membranes is had. Dr. Tour then looks at various syntheses as potential routes to fatty acids, bringing prebiotic relevance into the equation. With relay syntheses, chain swapping, and racemic mixtures amuck, early Earth is still left with enormous supplementary material procedures to follow, with no chemist available. When it comes to the synthesis of lipids, the luxuries of today indeed become "first world problems" in a most literal sense for those "first world years".

Video Index:
00:00​ - Introduction
00:34 - Reasons & Intent of this Abiogenesis Series
02:48 - Lipids and Phospholipids
05:26 - Phospholipid Structure & Cellular Membrane
11:26 - Synthesis of Lipids
13:27 - Fatty Acid Proposed Routes
16:27 - Science: "salad dressing" won't suffice for proton gradients
21:01 - Prebiotic Earth's "Waldo": Chasing Relay Synthesis, Stereochemistry, and more
39:47 - Addressing Inaccurate Prebiotic Chemistry Claims
41:12 - Summary, Appeal to Origin of Life Researchers, and What's Next

Links in this Series | Addressing Abiogenesis & Common Misconceptions
======
------

Illuminating the secret world of your glycans by Utrecht University:

If you found this helpful and a blessing to you or learned something new, please share and give this a like or thumbs up. And if you haven't already, please follow/like/subscribe, so you can stayed tuned in.

God bless you.

#Abiogenesis #JamesTour #OriginOfLife

~
WeChat - @drjamestour

[larryplating]

Thank you Dr. Tour for your informative series. I was a synthetic organic chemist who worked in the field for the CIA for 16 years developing pure organic system for classified use. I know the challenges of creating and purifying compounds with chirality issues. We never tried anything as exotic as homo chiral amino acids let alone carbohydrates. Thank you so much for clarifying this field. I perceive it a field for those who are greatly mislead by science fiction. Astrobiology is a complementary field of little sense. I would think few good minds would continue this work when they begin to recognize the immense inertia needed to really progress in this field whose true purpose is to give us an alternate for GOD. That quest is impossible, and clearly undeniable. Keep up the good work. Your brother in Christ.

[RebuttalRecords]

I really enjoy listening to these lectures. I may not understand most of what I'm listening to when it comes to the aspects of the chemistry involved, but the sheer complexity of it all leaves me in a state of grand wonderment.

[isaaclorencez]

I'm glad Prof Dave ”inspired“ you to make this wonderful series 😃

[thedaintyprincejbr]

Let the theme of this series alone, seeing how much talent, diligence and discipline does Tour shows in his side endeavour (proving the falsehood of abiogenese in this series) gives you a hint how much does it take to be a good professor.
He makes it look easy to follow all of that and to comprehend it so fast. it is really very admirable.

[karenisles]

This series is so encouraging, and strengthens my faith. Thank you, Sir.

[sanderossi]

Thanks for this amazing series of lectures dr Tour, and for again proving Brandolini’s Law:

The amount of energy necessary to refute bs is an order of magnitude larger than to produce it.

[patriciaisaviellalloyd]

Learning and unlearning so much, so very thankful for this excellent presentation!

[ronniereeves]

You can’t just grab things out of thin air and proclaim it with such confidence!! Who ever does that! ... Professor Dave Farina!

[paratrond]

Love you and your lectures, you are the most honest scientist I know and probably the most honest human being. I embrace your wisdom and work James Tour.

[johanfick]

Another outstanding presentation Dr. Tour!! Very informative and very much appreciated!!

[michaelvickers]

Another insightful and illuminating video by Dr. Tour. Thank you Professor Tour for teaching on this series.

[Josdamale]

This is a quote from an article by Education Week dated March 06, 2019 on the credentials of Dave Farina:

"Farina, who taught in high school and undergraduate classrooms for 10 years before turning into a YouTuber, received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Minnesota’s Carleton College and a master’s in chemistry and science education at California State University. His career included a full-time position teaching chemistry, biology, and physics at a private school in Hollywood, and substitute teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area, before transitioning to lecturing at a trade university."

However, this is not accurate. This is another example of media hype.

Dave actually never finished the Master's program, though he made two attempts. According to Dave, on his first attempt, he dropped out to play music in a band, and on his second attempt, he lost his job teaching undergraduate chemistry at SCUHS, and could not continue his Masters.

Therefore, his highest academic credentials are a Bachelor degree in chemistry from Carleton college, and he taught an undergraduate course for about 4 semesters (approximately 2 years) at a private college called the Southern California University of Health Sciences, which offers two year degrees.

One should note, however, that Dave is not qualified to teach undergraduate level chemistry without a Masters degree.

[immanuel]

THANK YOU Prof Tour for your tremendous work! It's priceless. I love it. All the best for you and yours. Much love from Germany.

[NormBaker.]

That cool picture of Tour on the video stamp will sure make this video stand out over the coming years.

[judgementiscoming]

Life is really amazing. When it's explained like this.

[woodand]

Dave's credentials arose spontaneously .

[corneliusteslaru]

Sharing some thoughts with those clinging for a debate:
1. A wise man once said: "Debates are won by those who speak louder, not necessarily those presenting the truth."
2. A debate would be appropriate if there would be something debatable, which is far from being the case.
3. David Farina has shown in multiple occasions lack of manners- not really a suitable candidate.
4. Giving the circumstances, it might not be the best venue to glorify our Lord Yeshua.
5. A Lion does not debate the rabbit in nature, speaking of academic merits. Maybe an honest discussion would be welcomed, not a debate.

[blstewart]

Love how you plug this guys channel. That's really nice of you.

[NancySwass-jvkp]

I dont "get" ANY of the science, but, am watching anyway! Its refreshing.

[alexandrepereira]

Thank you Mr Tour… very good videos… the summary is crystal clear… thank you …