Question about organic compounds of Earth....?

Question

What are two possible sources of simple organic compounds on the early Earth?

Answer 1

One theory of a source of early organic compounds comes from the famous Miller-Urey experiment conducted in 1953. In this experiment, elements and molecules that are thought to have been present on primitive earth were put in a closed container and given an electric current to simulate lighting that would have existed. The chemicals put into the container include methane, hydrogen, ammonia, and water. After some time, some compounds including organic compounds and amino acids formed.

There is also strong evidence that comets delivered these molecules after the Earth had formed. From many observatories we know that comets are made of water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and dust - a dust that contains lots of complex organics.

Answer 2

Possible and probable is an important distinction in this question. It may well be there is only one possible source for all organic molecules. That is a pre-existing proteins or RNA sequence.

A small number of simple organic compounds could come about with nothing but simple elements and an energy source.

Comets might have deposited simple and complex organic material on Earth. Simple compounds from comets may have been formed by some yet not understood chemical process which is possible in weightlessness but not possible in gravity.

Or some comets may have contained complex organic molecules which have been ejected from an organic DNA based extra world source. if these compounds do contain only proteins, they will have little consequence. But should the comet contain a piece of intact DNA, any complete segment could be utilized and propagated by an existing earth organism.

However, this is very unlikely. The energy of the ejection event would work against this and more unlikely is the compatibility of the DNA with any earth organism such that there is some mechanism for utilizing it.

The complete answer to your question would put the controversy between evolution and creation to rest. At least for thinking people.

"Organic compounds" are normally thought of as being synthesized by proteins and other activities of RNA. However there are a few compounds which are considered "organic" which occur with out the influence of proteins. They occur "naturally" from elements and simple molecules in the presence of heat or other energy.

Some experiments intended to broaden our understating of the origin of life have demonstrated the formation of some of these simple organics. However, no experiment has yet even come close to producing any molecule sufficiently complex to replicate itself. Self replication with extreme fidelity is a primary definitive condition of life.

Jerry

Post Script: Both Hydrogen and Carbon as well as Nitrogen, Oxygen and a handful of other elements are constituants of all organic compounds but none are a source.

Answer 3

Hydrogen and Carbon