IBBiology[HL] A2.1.4 — Evidence for the origin of carbon compounds; A2.1.3— Challenge of explaining the spontaneous origin of cells; A2.1.6— RNA as a presumed first genetic material.

What did the Miller-Urey experiment test?

the first step of the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis; whether simple carbon compounds can form from inorganic compounds.

What did Miller and Urey conclude from their experiment?

• A variety of carbon compounds, including amino acids, were formed from inorganic compounds*

• Carbon compounds could have spontaneously formed on prebiotic Earth.

Extraplanetary origin of carbon compounds

the molecules of life on Earth were present in the early solar system and are not unique to Earth. 

Polymerization

the process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a large chainlike molecule, called a polymer

RNA polymer

RNA is a polymer formed by condensation of nucleotide monomers

RNA

The first molecule to pass genetic information between generations is presumed to be ___

self replicating genetic material

RNA

ribozymes

RNA that functions as a catalyst. (RNA can catalyze its own replication and is also able to catalyze other essential biochemical reactions.)

Membranes can exist as:

vesicles (a), micelles (b) and bilayers (c).

______ were likely the primary component of the membrane of early cells

Fatty acids

What are cell membranes made out of now?

Phospholipids

Each fatty acid molecule is a ______ with a _______ group attached to one end.

hydrocarbon chain; carboxyl (COOH)

____ (head) is hydrophilic, and ____ (tail) is hydrophobic.

Carboxyl, hydrocarbon chain

micelles

Fatty acids in a watery solution will be attracted to each other and will spontaneously form spherical structures called ____(the term).