Miller and Urey's 1954 hot chemistry experiment was based on the assumption that Earth's early atmosphere contained water (H₂O) vapor, methane, hydrogen, and ammonia.Subsequent research showed that volcanoes released carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) around 4 billion years ago.This discovery suggests that A) early small molecules of life may have been produced in volcanoes. B) Earth's early environment included these gases as well. C) these gases were toxic to early life forms. D) volcanoes may have been responsible for the oxygen production once attributed to cyanobacteria. E) prebiotic synthesis could not have occurred in ice, since volcanoes would have melted the ice.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide being released by volcanoes around 4 billion years ago suggests that these gases were also present in Earth's early environment, along with water vapor, methane, hydrogen, and ammonia. This supports the assumption made by Miller and Urey's 1954 hot chemistry experiment and expands our understanding of the early atmosphere. Option A is not supported by the information given, option C is not mentioned, option D is not supported by the information given and is contradicted by current scientific understanding, and option E is not relevant to the information given.

Miller and Urey's 1954 Hot Chemistry Experiment Was Based on the Assumption