This is a simulation of the classic 1953 experiment at the University of Chicago that changed how scientists studied the origin of life. Stanley Miller and Harold Urey designed an experiment that simulated hypothetical conditions thought at the time to be present on the early Earth, and tested for the occurrence of chemical origins of life. Four elements were present in the hypothetical "recipe": hydrogen, methane, water, and ammonia. The chemicals were all sealed inside a sterile array of glass tubes, then were subjected to electric charges. After a week, the ingredients interacted to form amino acids (the building block of proteins).

This simulation features an apparatus like the one used by Miller and Urey. Users add gases, add boiling water, initiate sparks, and empty the vacuum chamber. The ratios and sequence must correctly duplicate the original experiment, or you start over.

Also included: interviews with Stanley Miller in which he explains the experiment and describes how he came up with the idea.

Please note that this resource requires Flash.