HL A2.1 Prebiotic Experiments
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What was the aim of the Miller–Urey experiment?
To test whether organic molecules could form under simulated early Earth conditions.
What products were formed in the experiment?
Amino acids, plus sugars, lipids, nucleic acid bases, and ATP (with phosphate).
Which gases were used in the original Miller–Urey experiment?
Methane (CH₄), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen (H₂), and water vapour (H₂O).
What provided energy in the Miller–Urey experiment?
Electric sparks to simulate lightning.
Why does the Miller–Urey experiment still support origin-of-life theories?
It showed biological building blocks form spontaneously, even though the exact atmosphere may have differed.
What are limitations of prebiotic experiments?
Exact early Earth conditions are unknown, glass may act as a catalyst, and results cannot prove how life actually began.
Why is life unlikely to originate again on modern Earth?
Oxygen-rich atmosphere, ozone blocking UV, and existing organisms would consume organic molecules.