Describe the Urey-Miller experiment and its significance?

Question

Describe the Urey-Miller experiment and its significance?

Answer 1

A classic experiment in molecular biology and genetics, the Miller-Urey experiment, established that the conditions that existed in Earth's primitive atmosphere were sufficient to produce amino acids, the subunits of proteins comprising and required by living organisms. In essence, the Miller-Urey experiment fundamentally established that Earth's primitive atmosphere was capable of producing the building blocks of life from inorganic materials.

In 1953, University of Chicago researchers Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey set up an experimental investigation into the molecular origins of life. Their innovative experimental design consisted of the introduction of the molecules thought to exist in early Earth's primitive atmosphere into a closed chamber. Methane (CH4), hydrogen (H2), and ammonia (NH3) gases were introduced into a moist environment above a water-containing flask. To simulate primitive lightning discharges, Miller supplied the system with electrical current.

After a few days, Miller observed that the flask contained organic compounds and that some of these compounds were the amino acids that serve as the essential building blocks of protein. Using chromatological analysis, Miller continued his experimental observations and confirmed the ready formation of amino acids, hydroxy acids, and other organic compounds.

Although the discovery of amino acid formation was of tremendous significance in establishing that the raw materials of proteins were easy to obtain in a primitive Earth environment, there remained a larger question as to the nature of the origin of genetic materials—in particular the origin of DNA and RNA molecules.

Answer 2

Urey and Miller followed the scientific method. Chemical compounds used by biological organisms were created using conditions simulating primordial earth, strongly suggesting that this method could eventually produce all the necessary compounds to allow the life force to settle in this realm.

In 1953 Urey and Miller, performed their famous expirement. Many say they proved life can come from chemicals. Their work ties in very nicely with the Big Bang Theory arising from Albert Einstein's work and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Starting with some elements presumed to be present in the primordial atmosphere (carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, hydrogen, methane, etc.), Miller and Urey were able to produce some amino acid precursors. From the Urey/Miller experiment it has been hypothesized that random combinations of chemicals present in the atmosphere of the primordial earth, helped along by lightning, produced the chemicals which are the building-blocks of the amino acids. Of course we still have a very, very long way to go before producing life! The experiment did not produce amino acids, only some chemicals which may lead to the development of amino acids... And amino acids are not life either...