Identify the statements which hold true with respect to origin of life.
(A) Louis Pasteur demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life.
(B) Big Bang theory attempts to explain the origin of universe.
(C) Oparin and Haldane proposed first form of life came from pre-existing non-living organic molecules.
(D) Miller's experiment was unable to prove chemical evolution.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (B) and (C) only
(A) Louis Pasteur demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life. — True.
(B) Big Bang theory attempts to explain the origin of universe. — True.
(C) Oparin and Haldane proposed first form of life came from pre-existing non-living organic molecules. — True.
(D) Miller’s experiment was unable to prove chemical evolution. — False. Miller made amino acids from simple gases, supporting chemical evolution.
NCERT Extract:
Origin of Life – “… Some scientists believe that it came from outside. Early Greek thinkers thought units of life called spores were transferred to different planets including earth. ‘Panspermia’ is still a favourite idea for some astronomers. For a long time it was also believed that life came out of decaying and rotting matter like straw, mud, etc. This was the theory of spontaneous generation. Louis Pasteur by careful experimentation demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life.”
Origin of Life – “… The Big Bang theory attempts to explain to us the origin of universe.”
Origin of Life – “… In 1953, S.L. Miller, an American scientist created similar conditions in a laboratory scale (Figure 6.1). He created electric discharge in a closed flask containing CH4, H2, NH3 and water vapour at 8000C. He observed formation of amino acids.”