Q. 9. What evidence do we have for the origin of life from inanimate matter?
The evidence for the origin of life from inanimate matter was provided through an experiment, conducted in 1953, by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey.
In the experiment, they assembled an atmosphere containing molecules like ammonia, methane, and hydrogen sulfide, but no oxygen, over water. This atmosphere was similar to that thought to exist on the early Earth. It was maintained at a temperature just below 100°C, and sparks were passed through the mixture of gases to simulate lightning.
At the end of a week, 15% of the carbon from methane had been converted to simple carbon compounds, including amino acids, which make up protein molecules and support life in its basic form.
Thus, this experiment suggests that life on Earth arose fresh.