Biology
Biology
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780073383071
Author: Raven
Publisher: MCGRAW-HILL HIGHER EDUCATION
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 26, Problem 1U

The Miller-Urey experiment demonstrated that

a. life originated on Earth.

b. organic molecules could have originated in the early atmosphere.

c. the early genetic material on the planet was DNA.

d. the early atmosphere contained large amounts of oxygen.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Stanley Miller and Harold Urey performed an experiment that showed the organic compounds were formed by the stimulation of the early atmosphere of the Earth. Earlier the atmosphere of the Earth was reducing in nature due to the absence of oxygen and the presence of large amounts of hydrogen. Miller and Urey performed their experiments in reducing the environment and check the chemical origin of life under a reducing environment. They found that the reducing environment of the Earth favored more to the formation of organic molecules from the inorganic substances which are present at that time.

Answer to Problem 1U

Correct answer:

The Miller‑Urey experiment showed that the organic molecules could have originated in the early atmosphere. Therefore, option b. is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Miller and Urey created an artificial environment in the laboratory which was very similar to the early Earth atmosphere (reducing environment). Their experiment shows that only the organic complex molecules are formed from the inorganic molecules due to the presence of reducing molecules in the environment.

Option b. is given as “organic molecules could have originated in the early atmosphere”.

As “Miller and Urey demonstrated that the organic molecules could have originated in the early atmosphere,” it is the right answer.

Hence, option b. is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option a. is given as “life originated on earth”.

Miller and Urey demonstrated the chemical evolution on the Earth. They could not demonstrate the biological evolution on the Earth. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option c. is given as “the early genetic material on the planet was DNA”.

Miller and Urey demonstrated that the organic molecules evolved due to the reducing environment. They could not show that DNA was the earliest genetic material. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option d. is given as “the early atmosphere contained large amounts of oxygen”.

The Miller and Urey experiment demonstrated that the earlier nature of the atmosphere of the Earth was reducing in nature due to the absence of oxygen. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Hence, options a., c. and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Conclusion:

Miller and Urey showed that the organic complex molecules were formed due to the presence of reducing molecules in the early atmosphere.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What experiment could you do to see if the maternal gene, bicoid, is sufficient to form anterior fates?
You’re curious about the effect that gap genes have on the pair-rule gene, evenskipped (eve), so you isolate and sequence each of the eve enhancers. You’re particularly interested in one of the enhancers, which is just upstream of the eve gene.  Describe an experimental technique you would use to find out where this particular eve enhancer is active.
For short answer questions, write your answers on the line provided. To the right is the mRNA codon table to use as needed throughout the exam. First letter U บบบ U CA UUCPhe UUA UCU Phe UCC UUG Leu CUU UAU. G U UAC TV UGCys UAA Stop UGA Stop A UAG Stop UGG Trp Ser UCA UCG CCU] 0 CUC CUA CCC CAC CAU His CGU CGC Leu Pro CCA CAA Gin CGA Arg CUG CCG CAG CGG AUU ACU AAU T AUC lle A 1 ACC Thr AUA ACA AUG Mot ACG AGG Arg GUU GCU GUC GCC G Val Ala GAC Asp GGU GGC GUA GUG GCA GCG GAA GGA Gly Glu GAGJ GGG AACASH AGU Ser AAA1 AAG Lys GAU AGA CAL CALUCAO CAO G Third letter 1. (+7) Use the table below to answer the questions; use the codon table above to assist you. The promoter sequence of DNA is on the LEFT. You do not need to fill in the entire table. Assume we are in the middle of a gene sequence (no need to find a start codon). DNA 1 DNA 2 mRNA tRNA Polypeptide C Val G C. T A C a. On which strand of DNA is the template strand (DNA 1 or 2)?_ b. On which side of the mRNA is the 5' end (left or…
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Microorganisms | Genetics | Biology | FuseSchool; Author: FuseSchool - Global Education;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSitT0oOoyc;License: Standard youtube license