Suppose a team of researchers becomes the first to synthesize organic molecules out of inorganic molecules. The conditions to wh
ich they subject their samples of inorganic molecules include periods of intense sunlight and radiation followed by periods of extreme cold—temperatures near that of outer space. After many such cycles of intense energy bombardment and cold, the researchers observe the development of organic molecules. If the findings of the researchers prove to be accurate, which features of their findings might challenge the primordial soup theory? Which aspects of the primordial soup theory would need to be adjusted in light of this new evidence? Why
Primitive Earth where life emerged was subjected to extreme conditions
Explanation:
The origin of life is still an issue of intense debate today, although most researchers believe that life emerged from primitive organisms generated by the synthesis of organic compounds in early Earth. In line with this theory, it has been shown that membrane-forming compounds can be formed in extreme conditions (i.e., UV rays, extreme temperature, etc). It is believed that such conditions recreated in a laboratory were similar to the early Earth about 3,900 million years ago, thereby supporting the idea of the 'primordial soup theory' proposed by John Burdon Sanderson Haldane in 1929.
