The Miller-Urey experiment showed that in any environment with conditions similar to those of Earth,
A) inorganic molecules would react to form organic molecules.
B) RNA would self-replicate.
C) organic molecules would form primitive cells.
D) an oxygen atmosphere would develop.
E) DNA would be synthesized.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Miller-Urey experiment demonstrated that under conditions similar to those on early Earth, inorganic molecules could react to form organic molecules such as amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. RNA self-replication (choice B) and the formation of primitive cells (choice C) were likely later developments in the origin of life, and the experiment did not address the synthesis of DNA (choice E). Additionally, the original Earth atmosphere did not contain significant amounts of oxygen (choice D).

The Miller-Urey Experiment Showed That in Any Environment with Conditions