Chapter 4, Problem 1IQ

How did Miller’s classic experiment relate to the origin of life?

Summary Introduction

To explain: The way in which the classic experiment by Miller relates to the origin of life.

Introduction: In 1953, Scientist Stanley Miller and Harold Urey set up an experiment with conditions resembling those present on the early Earth. The possibility of organic compound formation was investigated under simulated conditions in this experiment.

Explanation of Solution

Organic molecules were synthesized from inorganic molecules in the classic experiment of by two scientists Harold Urey and Stanley Miller. They used a mixture of gases such as hydrogen, methane, ammonia, and water vapor in his experiment and passed sparks through this mixture of gases. This experiment is commonly known as Urey-Miller experiment. A number of compounds were identified in the mixture; many of them were found to be organic compounds. The result of the classic experiment denotes the formation of macromolecules from micromolecules.

In Urey–Miller experiment, organic molecules, such as amino acids from nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and other inorganic elements were synthesized. This simulated the physical and chemical conditions at the time of origin of life billions of years ago.