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Multiple Choice
What did the Miller-Urey experiment demonstrate about the origin of organic compounds?
A
Organic compounds can be synthesized from inorganic precursors under prebiotic conditions.
B
Organic compounds can only be formed through biological processes.
C
Organic compounds are unstable and cannot persist in early Earth conditions.
D
The presence of oxygen is necessary for the formation of organic compounds.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context of the Miller-Urey experiment: It was designed to simulate the conditions thought to be present on the early Earth and test the chemical origins of life.
Identify the setup of the experiment: The Miller-Urey experiment used a mixture of gases (methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapor) to mimic the early Earth's atmosphere, and applied electrical sparks to simulate lightning.
Recognize the significance of the results: The experiment resulted in the formation of several organic compounds, including amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
Interpret the implications: The experiment demonstrated that organic compounds could be synthesized from inorganic precursors under conditions that might have existed on the prebiotic Earth.
Conclude the understanding: The Miller-Urey experiment provided evidence that organic compounds necessary for life could form through abiotic processes, supporting the hypothesis of chemical evolution leading to the origin of life.