BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781305967359
Author: STARR
Publisher: CENGAGE L
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

An abundance of___________ in Earth’s early atmosphere would have prevented the spontaneous assembly of organic compounds on early Earth.

a. hydrogen b. methane c. oxygen d. nitrogen
Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Organic molecules are molecules found in all the living organisms. These molecules are formed by a combination of carbon atoms arranged in long chains or rings and other atoms such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are attached to the carbon atoms. The first organic molecule is believed to have been formed on earth’s surface nearly 4 billion years ago. RNA is believed to be the first organic molecule.

Answer to Problem 1SA

Correct answer:

An abundance of oxygen in Earth’s early atmosphere would have prevented the spontaneous assembly of organic compounds on early Earth. Hence, the correct answer is option c.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for correct answer:

Option c. is given as “oxygen.”

Oxidation reaction requires the presence of oxygen in its free form. The presence of oxygen would have caused the breakdown of the organic molecules immediately after their formation, but the absence of oxygen would have promoted the formation of organic molecules.

Reason for incorrect answer:

Option a. is given as, “hydrogen.”

Hydrogen was present in abundance, and the reducing environment favored the formation of organic compounds. Hence, option a. is incorrect.

Option b. is given as, “methane.”

Methane was present in abundance in the early atmosphere of the earth and contributed towards the formation of organic molecules. Hence, option b. is incorrect.

Option d. is given as, “nitrogen.”

Nitrogen gas was present in the early atmosphere in its free form, and it was not responsible for oxidation reactions. So it promoted the formation of organic molecules. Hence, option d. is incorrect.

Hence, the options a., b., and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Oxygen causes oxidation reaction. The abundance of oxygen in the early atmosphere of the earth would have resulted in the breakdown of the organic molecules. Thus, the correct answer is option c.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
choose the combination of answers that most accurately completes the statement.Mitochondria likely originated from a. archaea b. invaginations of the cell membrane c. rickettsias d. cyanobacteria
The first forms of life on Earth were thought to be_________. a. single-celled plants b. prokaryotes c. insects d. large animals such as dinosaurs
Which of the following was likely MOST important for life to begin existing on Earth?   A. sunlight   B. DNA   C.  a source of oxygen   D. a source of energy
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Microorganisms | Genetics | Biology | FuseSchool; Author: FuseSchool - Global Education;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSitT0oOoyc;License: Standard youtube license