Question

Which of the following correctly explains the results of Miller and Urey's experiment thereby affecting the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis?

• A. The results were in support of Oparin hypothesis which showed that organisms contributed to the composition of Earth's present-day atmosphere.
• B. The results were in contradiction to the Oparin hypothesis which showed that Earth's early atmosphere could not produce cells from organic molecules.
• C. The results were in support of Oparin hypothesis which showed that replicating membranes could form from simple molecular precursors.
• D. The results were in contradiction to the Oparin hypothesis which showed that Earth's early atmosphere was too hot and volatile to sustain living things.
• E. The results were in support of Oparin hypothesis which showed that biological molecules could form in conditions resembling the early Earth.

Answer 1

The correct option is E The results were in support of Oparin hypothesis which showed that biological molecules could form in conditions resembling the early Earth.

According to Oparin and Haldane’s theory of the biochemical origin of life, life originated spontaneously from nonliving matter in primitive atmosphere of the earth (abiogenesis). Oparin hypothesis talked about the composition of the primitive atmosphere. The primitive reducing atmosphere of earth was rich in water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. UV light, high temperature and lightening served as sources of energy for chemical reactions between above mentioned gases to form simple organic compounds which in turn produced more complex organic compounds and finally the first living cell. Miller and Urey provided first proof for chemical synthesis of proteins by amino acids. They simulated the primitive earth conditions, as proposed by Oparin, in an apparatus of the glass tube and flasks and synthesized simple organic compounds (amino acids, fatty acids sugars etc.) from a mixture of methane, hydrogen and water vapour.

Miller's experiment's result supported Oparin Haldane hypothesis.

Complex biomolecules lead to the formation of replicating membranes.

Therefore, the correct answer is option E.