In Stanley Miller's long-term cold chemistry experiment concerning prebiotic synthesis, test tubes containing ammonia gas, water vapor, and cyanide (HCN) were cooled to -78°C.When they were opened after 27 years, they contained amino acids and nucleotide bases.This result was interpreted to mean that
A) ice crystals served as templates for molecule formation.
B) the evolution of life would never have occurred on icy planets, because it happens too slowly.
C) ice on moons of Jupiter and Saturn may be environments for prebiotic synthesis.
D) cold temperatures are necessary for small molecule synthesis on other planets.
E) life could only have arisen under extremely cold conditions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that amino acids and nucleotide bases were formed in the test tubes that were cooled to -78°C suggests that prebiotic synthesis can occur in extremely cold environments, such as those found on moons of Jupiter and Saturn, which have icy surfaces. Therefore, option C is the best choice. The other options do not accurately reflect the implications of the experiment.

In Stanley Miller's Long-Term Cold Chemistry Experiment Concerning Prebiotic Synthesis