Question

In 1953, Miller and Urey constructed an experiment that attempted to mimic the conditions leading to the formation of biomolecules on early Earth.
Part A: Construct a hypothesis statement that Miller and Urey might have made prior to conducting their experiment. Use an “if, then” format to write your statement. (1 point)


Part B: Describe in detail their experiment. Include what they used to simulate the conditions of early Earth, and what their results were. (3 points)

Answer 1

Answer:

A// If early conditions of primeval earth had ammonia, methane, hydrogen in its atmosphere, then it is possible that amino acids such as glycine, α-alanine, and β-alanine may have been spontaneously formed from chemical reactions spurred by energy from lightning.

Their hypothesis was that the early conditions of primeval earth favored the spontaneous formation of organic molecules, from inorganic precursors, that may have been the origin of life. This theory is called abiogenesis.

B//Miller Urey put methane, ammonia, hydrogen gases in a glass flask and a pool of water at the bottom of the glass flask. The flask was heated moderately to simulate the hot conditions then. Sparks were also occasionally induced in the flask to mimic lighting. The flask was then cooled slowly to simulate cooling of earth over time.After one day, they found the presence of some amino acids (glycine, α-alanine and β-alanine) was discovered in the water in the flask

Explanation:

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