Question

The main explanation for the lack of a continuing abiotic origin of life on the Earth today is that

• A. There is not sufficient lightning to provide an energy source
• B. Our oxidising atmosphere is not conducive to the spontaneous formation of complex molecules
• C. There is much less visible light reaching Earth to serve as an energy source
• D. There are no molten surfaces on which weak solutions of organic molecules would polymerise

Answer 1

The correct option is B Our oxidising atmosphere is not conducive to the spontaneous formation of complex molecules

All living things consist of organic molecules, centered around the element carbon. The first organic molecules were probably very simple carbon-based molecules made of few atoms. These molecules then combined with other simple molecules to form more complex molecules. Over many years and probably trillions of chemical reactions, more complex molecules, and more stable molecules were formed.

So the correct option is 'our oxidising atmosphere is not conducive to the spontaneous formation of complex molecules'.