Question

What type of gases was sealed in the spark chamber in the famous Miller and Urey simulation experiment ?
A. Oxygen
B. Methane
C. Carbon dioxide
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Oparin of Russia and Haldane of England proposed that the first form of life could have come from pre-existing non living organic molecules. And that formation of life was preceded by chemical evolution that made formation of diverse organic molecules from inorganic constituents. The conditions on Earth were high temperature volcanic eruption, reducing atmosphere containing Methane ammonia etc.

Complete Answer:
- In 1953 S.L. Miller, an American scientist created similar conditions on a laboratory scale. He created electric discharge in a closed flask containing Methane, hydrogen, ammonia and water vapour at 800 degree Celsius.
- In the Miller and Urey experiment they observed formation of amino acids. In similar experiments others observe formation of sugars, nitrogenous bases, pigment and fat.
- Analysis of meteorite content also Revealed that similar compounds indicating the similar processes are occurring elsewhere in space.
- With this limited evidence the first part of the conjectured story that means chemical evolution was more or less accepted.

So the correct answer is ( B ).

Additional information:
- Some other theories of formation of life were also there. The theory suggested how the living organisms are formed .
- Some scientists believe that it came from outside. Early Greek thinkers thought units of life spores were transferred to different planets including Earth. Panspermia is still a favourite idea for some astronomers.

Note: There was also a theory of spontaneous generation. This theory was disapproved by Louis Pasteur by careful experiment demonstrated life comes from pre-existing life.