evidence on the origin of carbon compounds Flashcards
(8 cards)
What did Haldane describe the pre-biotic ocean as?
A “hot dilute soup” where carbon compounds could form.
According to Haldane, what gases were present in the pre-biotic atmosphere?
Water vapour, carbon dioxide, and ammonia.
How did Haldane suggest carbon compounds could form in the early Earth?
UV light acting on the mixture of gases would create a variety of organic substances, including sugars and proteins.
Who tested Haldane’s hypothesis experimentally in the 1950s?
Stanley Miller and Harold Urey.
What happened in the Miller-Urey experiment after one day?
The water turned pink.
What happened in the Miller-Urey experiment after one week?
The water turned dark red, indicating the formation of compounds.
What did the analysis of the Miller-Urey experiment show?
A variety of carbon compounds, including over 20 amino acids, had been produced.
What did the Miller-Urey experiment demonstrate about the origin of carbon compounds?
It showed that carbon compounds could form spontaneously on early Earth before life evolved.
