Origin of Life - Chemical Evolution, Miller-Urey Experiment - Unsolved Practice Set
Chapter: Evolution | Topic: Origin of Life Chemical Evolution Miller Urey
ORIGIN OF LIFE - CHEMICAL EVOLUTION, MILLER-UREY EXPERIMENT - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Origin of Life Chemical Evolution Miller Urey
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. The theory that life originated from simple inorganic molecules through a series of chemical reactions is called:
- Biogenesis
- Chemical evolution (abiogenesis)
- Spontaneous generation of complex life
- Panspermia
Q2. The Miller-Urey experiment attempted to recreate the conditions of:
- Present-day Earth's atmosphere
- The primitive Earth's atmosphere
- Ocean floor conditions today
- Outer space
Q3. In the Miller-Urey experiment, an electric spark was used mainly to simulate:
- Volcanic eruptions
- Lightning discharge in the primitive atmosphere
- Sunlight only
- Ocean currents
Q4. The gases used in the Miller-Urey experimental setup included:
- Oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide
- Methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapour
- Only oxygen and water vapour
- Only nitrogen and helium
Q5. Louis Pasteur's experiments are credited with disproving the theory of:
- Chemical evolution
- Spontaneous generation of life from non-living matter
- Natural selection
- Continental drift
Short Answer Questions
Q6. What did the Miller-Urey experiment demonstrate about the origin of organic molecules on early Earth?
Q7. Briefly state the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis regarding the origin of life.
Q8. Why is the primitive Earth's atmosphere, as simulated by Miller and Urey, described as having no free oxygen?
Q9. How did Louis Pasteur's experiments challenge the idea of "spontaneous generation"?
Long Answer Questions
Q10. Describe the Miller-Urey experiment in detail, explaining its setup and the significant result it produced.
Q11. Explain the theory of chemical evolution, describing the sequence of events believed to have led from simple molecules to the first living cells.
APPLICATION / ANALYSIS
Q12. A student wonders why scientists cannot simply repeat the Miller-Urey experiment today using our current atmosphere to "recreate" the origin of life. Explain, based on your understanding of primitive Earth conditions, why today's atmosphere would not give the same results.
Q13. In the Miller-Urey experiment, amino acids (building blocks of proteins) were formed in the flask after running the apparatus for about a week. Explain the significance of this result for our understanding of how life's basic molecules could have originated on early Earth.