Old Materials Resurface For "Prebiotic Soup" 263
AliasMarlowe writes "Stanley Miller performed the famous experiments in the 1950s showing that amino acids and other building blocks for biomolecules could be produced by passing lightning through a mix of simple hydrocarbons, water vapor, and ammonia (thought at the time to approximate the Earth's early atmosphere). Other experiments approximated the environment around volcanic eruptions, but those results were not published. Following his death last year, a former student discovered the materials from those experiments, in labelled vials. Analysis of this material indicates that the conditions around volcanic eruptions (still thought to be representative of such events in the early Earth) resulted in a higher yield of amino acids than the simple lightning experiments, and resulted in a greater variety of amino acids." Pharyngula has a discussion of the Science paper, including a graph of the amino acids produced.
Campbell's Condensed Prebiotic Soup (Score:5, Funny)
Just add volcano.
So... We came from volcanos? (Score:5, Funny)
Great, just add more fuel to the Scientology fire.
I have cell walls (Score:2, Funny)
And I am considered a single organism.
Yield of Amino Acids (Score:5, Funny)
You know what else gives a higher yield of amino acids? 1 egg, 1 sperm, and 9 months.
Re:Undersea smokers..... (Score:5, Funny)
As a 60-a-day Marlboro man I regret the half hour lost to smoking every time I go for a swim, so you can image the excitement with which I opened your post. Only to be confronted with something about soup. God, I need a smoke.
Re:Warning: religious comment. Proceed with cautio (Score:2, Funny)
I would say this is another potential blow to young-Earth creationists, but I think most of them aren't going to give this particular experiment much credit. It's unfortunate that we can't just look at the results of scientific experiments at face value without requiring a religious interpretation tacked on to the end. We'd all get along much better that way. Theists could do generally accepted scientific study without getting discredited for their beliefs. On the other hand, enough science already goes on with predetermined goals in mind, so maybe it's a moot point.
Disclaimer: I am a creationist, although not a young-Earth creationist, and I don't disagree with most of the tenets of evolution. I won't engage in debate over the merits of evolutionist vs. creationist perspectives, because there's little to no meaningful debate to be had. At this point, both sides of the debate are taking whatever evidence comes up and claiming it supports their perspective.
In other words, don't expect me to argue over the existence of God in this thread. Interesting findings, though!
Your comment proves my point! I win! You lose!
Re:Yield of Amino Acids (Score:5, Funny)
Re:So... We came from volcanos? (Score:5, Funny)
Great, just add more fuel to the Scientology fire.
We setting scientologists on fire now? I missed this memo!
Uhhh... (Score:1, Funny)
Following his death last year, a former student discovered the materials from those experiments, in labelled vials.
Which just goes to show that death is not an acceptable excuse for a grad student not getting their work done.
As a friend once told me, "If the Pharaohs used grad students instead of slaves, there would be a whole lot more pyramids."
Re:I have cell walls (Score:5, Funny)
Animals don't have cell walls
If that were true, how do you explain zoos?!
Zombie student (Score:2, Funny)
Following his death last year, a former student discovered the materials from those experiments
How did he discover the materials after his death?
Re:Yield of Amino Acids (Score:4, Funny)
How 'determined' are the sperm?
Re:Ancient Atmosphere (Score:4, Funny)
Oh, and Slashdotters - remember the 'offspring' part. That's important.
You're doomed.
Re:So... We came from volcanos? (Score:5, Funny)
We needed a memo?
Re:IANAMB (Score:2, Funny)
Flying Car from the 40's (Score:1, Funny)
Oh, look! Here's an old journal from the 1940s! Let's read it.
"Proposal for flying cars ...."
I've seen that one too. It's got a picture of a 1946 Dodge Custom with a suspiciously familiar looking orange paintjob with a rebel flag on the roof and the numbers 01 painted on the front doors.
Looks like a couple of hillbillies are trying to jump the Dodge over a black and white 1939 Ford Sedan that has a red bubblegum light on it's roof and a fat sheriff and his stupid deputy inside gawking at the Dodge in the air over their heads.
I don't think the Dodge will fly very good, as it appears way too noseheavy and the landing is bound to hurt.
Wait... What? (Score:4, Funny)
Following his death last year, a former student discovered the materials from those experiments, in labelled vials.
So the former student died, was placed in labeled vials and then made this discovery? That is simply astounding.