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Question

In present times, the origin of life is not possible from inorganic compounds due to

A
unavailability of raw materials
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B
high conc. of O2 in atmosphere
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C
decrease in Earth's temperature
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D
high level of pollution
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Solution

The correct option is B high conc. of O2 in atmosphere
Origin of life on earth was possible due to the presence of a reducing atmosphere. The primitive atmosphere contained gases like ammonia, methane, hydrogen and water vapour and lacked oxygen.

The primitive atmosphere on earth contained gases like ammonia, methane, and water vapour. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun broke water vapours into oxygen and free hydrogen. Hydrogen being lighter escaped, leaving Earth depleted of hydrogen. The atmosphere began to fill with carbon dioxide, ammonia, and water vapor. The oxygen released quickly reacted with methane and ammonia forming water, carbon dioxide, etc.

Chemical reactions on the primitive earth led to the formation of organic molecules like simple amino acids and nucleotides. These simple organic molecules aggregated to form polymers. The macromolecules in the primitive ocean later came together to form large colloidal drop-like structures. The first living form named protocells were clusters of nucleoproteins which were formed by composition of nucleic acids and enzymatic proteins. These were the first signs of life which originated about 3 billion years ago.
Life cannot originate from inorganic materials at present due to the oxidising atmosphere. The earth is highly rich in oxygen today which does not provide the suitable environment for evolution. The conditions present today are not conducive for the synthesis of complex molecules because oxygen attacks the chemical bonds and extracts electrons.

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