Chapter 4, Problem 4.1CR

How did Stanley Miller's experiments support the idea that, even at life's origins, physical and chemical laws govern the processes of life?

Summary Introduction

To review: Miller’s experiment formed the basis of the idea that origin of life and its processes are governed by physical and chemical laws.

Introduction: In 1953, Stanley Miller set up an experiment with conditions resembling those present on the early Earth. The possibility of organic compound formation was investigated under simulated conditions. He used a mixture of gases such as hydrogen, methane, ammonia, and water vapor in his experiment and passed sparks through the mixture of gases. After reactions, a number of compounds were identified in the mixture and  many of them were organic compounds.

Explanation of Solution

Miller synthesized many organic compounds in his abiotic experiment by simulating the chemical and physical conditions that were present in the early Earth before the starting of life. . Abiotic experiments are those that do not involve in any material derived from living organisms. Miller’s experiment involved only physical and chemical phenomenon. Water was kept in a flask and was heated. The vapor generated was passed through a mixture of gases and sparks were generated to mimic lightning. A condenser was used to cool the hot gases and collected for analysis. These chemical and physical processes led to the formation of organic compounds that are commonly found in living organisms. Before Miller’s experiment, organic compounds were thought to be formed only by living organisms and life was believed to be a phenomenon not governed by physical and chemical sciences.

Miller’s experiment showed that life might have originated under abiotic conditions present in the early Earth. This discovery led to the conclusion that physical and chemical laws played an important role in the origin of life and are essential in life processes.