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They designed a tube which held a mix of gases similar to those found in Earth's early atmosphere along with a pool of water to imitate the early ocean, and delivered an electric current into the tube to imitate lightning. They found that several organic amino acids (long and complex molecules) had formed suddenly out of the combination of these simple elements. These molecules collected together in the pool of water to form coacervates.
Their experiments lent support to the theory that the first life forms
arose through naturally-occuring chemical reactions. However, many scientists remain unconvinced.
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They designed an apparatus which held a mix of gases similar to those found in Earth's early atmosphere over a pool of water, representing Earth's early ocean. Electrodes delivered an electric current, simulating lightning, into the gas-filled chamber. After allowing the experiment to run for one week, they analyzed the contents of the liquid pool. They found that several organic amino acids had formed spontaneously from inorganic raw materials. These molecules collected together in the pool of water to form coacervates.
Their experiments, along with considerable geological, biological, and
chemical evidence, lends support to the theory that the first life forms
arose spontaneously through naturally occuring chemical reactions.
However, there are still many skeptics of this theory who remain unconvinced.
British astrophysicist, Fred Hoyle, compares the likelihood of life
appearing on Earth by chemical reactions "as equivalent to the
possibility that a tornado sweeping through a junkyard might assemble a
Boeing 747 from the materials therein".
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They designed an apparatus which held a mix of gases similar to those found in Earth's early atmosphere over a pool of water, representing the primeval sea. Electrodes delivered an electric current, simulating lightning, into the gas-filled chamber. After allowing the experiment to run for one week, they analyzed the contents of the liquid pool. They found that several organic amino acids had formed spontaneously from inorganic raw materials including water, ammonia, and methane. The equation for the combination of elements is shown below.
Their experiments, along with considerable geological, biological, and
chemical evidence, lends support to the theory that the first life forms
arose spontaneously through chemical evolution. However, there are still
many skeptics of this theory who remain unconvinced.
British astrophysicist, Fred Hoyle, compares the likelihood of life
appearing on Earth by chemical evolution "as equivalent to the
possibility that a tornado sweeping through a junkyard might assemble a
Boeing 747 from the materials therein".
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