Miller–Urey Experiment
Scientific experimentAbout
The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1952 by Stanley Miller under the supervision of Harold Urey, was a pivotal scientific study that demonstrated the abiogenic formation of organic compounds from inorganic substances. This experiment aimed to simulate the conditions of the early Earth's atmosphere, using a mixture of methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapor. By applying an electric discharge to mimic lightning, Miller and Urey successfully produced several amino acids, including glycine, α-alanine, and β-alanine, as well as other organic molecules like sugars and lipids. The experiment supported the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis, which posits that life could arise from non-living matter through chemical reactions. Although the original atmospheric composition used in the experiment is now considered inaccurate, subsequent studies have shown that organic compounds can form under various conditions, including different atmospheric compositions and energy sources. The Miller-Urey experiment laid the groundwork for further research into the origins of life, highlighting the potential for chemical evolution to produce the building blocks of life from simple inorganic materials.
