Miller–Urey experiment

The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1953, simulated conditions thought to resemble those of early Earth. Scientists Stanley Miller and Harold Urey mixed water, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen in a closed system, then introduced electrical sparks to mimic lightning. Over time, this setup produced amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and essential components of life. The experiment suggested that organic compounds could form naturally from simpler substances, supporting theories about the origins of life on Earth. It demonstrated a possible pathway for the synthesis of complex molecules necessary for life under early Earth conditions.