Question

A student was simulating Urey and Millers experiment to prove the origin of life. The set up used by the student is given –

(a) Find out the reasons why he could not get desired results.

(b) What conclusion was drawn by Urey and Miller through this experiment?

(c) Compare the conclusion drawn with the theory of spontaneous generation.

Answer 1

a) He could not get desired results because:

i) O₂ was used instead of H₂
ii) Temperature maintained was 80°c instead of 800°.

b) It was concluded that life could have come from pre – existing non living organic molecules and their formation was preceded by chemical evolution

c) He observed formation of Amino acids when in a closed flask CH₄, H₂, NH₃ and water vapour were heated at 800°C in presence of electric discharge. Analysis of meteorite content also reveals similar compounds indicating that similar process are occurring elsewhere in space / Chemical evolution. Urey & Miller proved that life originated abiogenetically whereas theory of spontaneous generation emphasized that units of life called spores were transferred to different planets including Earth.