In the S.L. Miller experiment, which one of the following gases was not present?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → H2S
In 1953 S.L. Miller copied the conditions of the early earth in a closed flask. The atmosphere was a reducing one, with little free oxygen. He passed an electric discharge through methane, hydrogen, ammonia and water vapour at 800°C. He saw amino acids form. Other workers later got sugars, nitrogen bases, pigments and fats in similar tests.
(1) CH4 — A gas present in Miller’s experiment. Methane was in the flask.
(2) NH3 — A gas present in Miller’s experiment. Ammonia was in the flask.
(3) H2S — Not a gas present in Miller’s experiment. Hydrogen sulphide was not used.
(4) H2 — A gas present in Miller’s experiment. Hydrogen was in the flask.
NCERT Extract:
Origin of Life – …
