Final answer:
The Miller-Urey experiments showed that organic molecules could form under simulated early Earth conditions, providing evidence for the origin of life. They used gases present on early Earth and electrical sparks to produce organic compounds like amino acids and nucleotides.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Miller-Urey experiments conducted by Stanley Miller and Harold Urey at the University of Chicago simulated conditions on early Earth and demonstrated that organic molecules could form.
They used a mixture of gases believed to be present on early Earth, such as methane, ammonia, and hydrogen, and exposed it to electrical sparks to simulate lightning.
As the mixture cooled, it produced organic compounds like amino acids and nucleotides, which are essential for life.