Which of the following components were taken by S.L. Miller in a closed flask for his experiment on the origin of life?
(A) CH4
(B) NH3
(C) CO2
(D) Water vapours
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (D) only
Miller tried to recreate the conditions of the early earth, whose atmosphere was reducing, that is, without free oxygen.
(A) CH4 Correct. Methane was one of the gases in Miller’s flask, as in the early atmosphere.
(B) NH3 Correct. Ammonia supplied the nitrogen found in the amino acids that formed.
(C) CO2 Incorrect. Carbon dioxide was not in the flask. The fourth gas Miller used was hydrogen (H2), and the carbon came from methane.
(D) Water vapours Correct. Water vapour stood for the water of the early oceans. It also supplied the oxygen and hydrogen found in the amino acids.
NCERT Extract:
Origin of Life – …
