A 1952 experiment by Stanley Miller laid the foundation for understanding how life emerged on Earth, but it relied on an unlikely catalyst – lightning. Recent research by Stanford University chemist Richard Zare and his team suggests that water itself may be a more realistic key to unlocking the origin of life.
In the original experiment, Miller created amino acids from inorganic molecules by simulating a mini-lightning strike in a flask filled with water, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen. However, this was an infrequent occurrence, mostly limited to open ocean environments where organic compounds would quickly disperse.
The new study replicates Miller’s chemical reactions but uses a reliable energy source instead of lightning. Stanford researchers found that spraying water into a mix of atmospheric gases can form organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds. The consistent presence of water, such as in each waterfall and wave, could provide the necessary spark for life to emerge.
Zare emphasizes that this discovery is more promising than relying on infrequent lightning strikes. “Unlike lightning,” he says, “water sprays are everywhere.” This finding opens up new avenues for understanding how life may have originated on our planet.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/life-on-earth-may-have-been-jump-started-by-microlightning