Question

The Miller-Urey experiment simulated compounds present in the atmosphere of early Earth, lightning, and the evaporation and condensation of atmospheric water. What other information about the conditions on Earth during this time period would you want to know to improve the experiment?

Answer 1

Answer:

The Miller-Urey experiment was conducted to simulate the conditions on Earth when life arose, and see if a chemical evolution could occur. This experiment was performed without oxygen, because they knew that if oxygen was added, the amino acids would oxidize. In particular, the experiment intended to simulate a volcanic eruption was analyzed.

Thus, particles of water, methane, ammonia and hydrogen were exposed to high temperatures and electric discharges that simulated these eruptions, during a determined period. Later, it was observed that organic compounds had emerged from this exposure, which allowed us to infer one of the hypotheses regarding the origin of life on Earth.