Question

Miller and Urey performed an experiment to prove the origin of life. They took gases

• A. methane, ethane, ammonia, water vapour
• B. methane, ammonia, hydrogen, water vapour
• C. methane, ethane, hydrogen, ammonia
• D. ammonia, water vapour, butane, hydrogen

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

methane, ammonia, hydrogen, water vapour

Answer 2

Miller and Urey, 1953 took ammonia, methane, hydrogen (in the ratio 2:2:1) and water in a sterilised apparatus having a spark chamber with two electrodes, a flask for arrangement of boiling, a tube with condenser for condensation and a trap for collection of aqueous solution. The experiment was continued for. eighteen days after which the contents of the apparatus were analysed. A number of simple organic compounds such as amino adds, purines, pyrimidines, simple peptide chains, organic adds and sugars were found. He proved that organic compounds were basis of life.