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\nWhat Was The Miller-Urey Experiment?\n

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\n\nPublisher:\n\nStated Clearly\n\n\n
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\nClick this link to take a survey about this video This animation was sponsored by the Center for Chemical Evolution, NSF, and NASA Help support Stated Clearly on Patreon The Miller-Urey experiment was the first attempt to scientifically...\nClick this link to take a survey about this video This animation was sponsored by the Center for Chemical Evolution, NSF, and NASA Help support Stated Clearly on Patreon The Miller-Urey experiment was the first attempt to scientifically explore ideas about the origin of life. Stanley Miller simulated conditions thought be common on the ancient Earth. The purpose was to test the idea that the complex molecules of life (in this case, amino acids) could have arisen on our young planet through simple, natural chemical reactions. The experiment was a success in that amino acids, the building blocks of life, were produced during the simulation. The finding was so significant that it kick started an entirely new field of study: Prebiotic Chemistry. Scientists now have reason to believe that the gases used in the Miller-Urey simulation were not actually the same as those of the ancient atmosphere. Because of this, many experiments have since been done, testing a wide variety of atmospheres and different environmental conditions. The results are overwhelming: the molecules of life can form under a wide variety of ancient Earth-like conditions. Many questions about the origin of life remain to be answered but these findings give strong support to the idea that the first living cells on Earth may have emerged from natural chemical reactions. Sources: The Miller-Urey Experiment (actual paper from 1953) Biomolecules found in meteorites: Sugar! Biomolecules form in asteroid simulations Biomolecules form in Volcanic Simulations Biomolecules (amino acids) form in non-reducing atmosphere simulations Sealed chemical vials from some origional Miller experiments were recently re-examined with modern tools. All kinds of great things were found! CORRECTIONS: In this animation I drew the meteorite sugars incorrectly. See this paper for accurate molecular diagrams of the sugars and sugar derivatives found in meteorites\n
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Grade
3rd - 11th
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Instructional Videos
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Source:
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Date
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2015
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