Who: J.B.S. Haldane, a brilliant biologist. When: Way back in 1929. What: He described the pre-biotic (before life) ocean as a "hot dilute soup" of carbon compounds.

Who: Stanley Miller and Harold Urey, the daring duo of scientists. When: The early 1950s. What: They cooked up a literal science experiment to test Haldane's theory.

Ingredients and Steps

• Methane, hydrogen, and ammonia: The believed gases of pre-biotic atmosphere.

• Water vapor: Added by boiling water.

• Electrical discharges: To simulate lightning. (Talk about a high-voltage recipe!)

• Condenser: This cooled down the hot mix and sent it back to the boiling water.

The Big Reveal

• Day 1: The water turned pink. Imagine a science-made cherry lemonade!

• Week 1: The water was dark red, like a raspberry smoothie.

• Analysis: Over 20 different amino acids were produced. Amino acids are like LEGO blocks for proteins, a key part of life.

The Miller-Urey experiment proved that it was possible to form carbon compounds spontaneously on Earth before life started. Think of it as the universe's recipe for life!

Real-World Example:

Have you ever mixed baking soda and vinegar to create a volcano for a science fair? That's a simple chemical reaction. Now, imagine that on a grand scale, with the Earth cooking up essential life ingredients through complex reactions.