Synthesis of Prebiotic Molecules in an Experimental Atmosphere with an increased understanding of the atmospheric conditions that existed on primitive Earth, the researchers devised an experiment to see if these conditions could lead to the formation of organic molecules.

Organic chemical compounds can be generated under conditions similar to those that existed in the atmosphere of primitive Earth.

The chemical building blocks of life could have been generated in the probable atmosphere of early Earth.

Analyze the data

The following data show the amount of energy impinging on Earth in different forms.

1) Only a small fraction of the sun's energy is ultraviolet light (less than 2500nm). What is the rest of the solar energy?

2) The molecules CH ₄ , H ₂ O, NH ₃ and CO ₂ absorb light at wavelengths less than 2000nm. What fraction of total solar radiation is in this range?

3) Instead of electric discharges, what other sources of energy could be used in these experiments?

METHOD 13 Heat a solution of simple chemicals to produco an "atmos- phere. Heat RESULTS "Atmospheric compartment "Oceanic" compartment HO NH3 H tool CHAS -Cold water Electrical sparks simulating lightning provide energy for synthesis of new compounds. A condensor cools the "atmospheric gases in a "rain" containing now compounds. The compounds collect In an "ocean." Condensation Collect and analyze condensed Squid. Reactions in the condensed liquid eventually formed organic chomical compounds, including purines, pyrimidines, and amino acids. Source Total radiation from sun Ultraviolet light Wavelength