The question asks about the scientist who performed the experiment to prove that the synthesis of organic compound formed the basis of life. This relates to theories about the origin of life on early Earth.

Several scientists contributed to the ideas surrounding the origin of life. Oparin and Haldane independently proposed that life could have originated from pre-existing non-living organic matter through chemical evolution in a reducing atmosphere. They suggested that simple inorganic molecules could combine under specific conditions (like lightning or UV radiation) to form simple organic compounds, which could then polymerize into complex molecules, eventually leading to the first forms of life.

Miller's Experiment on the Synthesis of Organic Compound

Building upon the theoretical ideas of Oparin and Haldane, Stanley Miller designed and conducted a groundbreaking experiment in 1953. His goal was to test whether organic molecules could be synthesized under conditions thought to exist on early Earth. This experiment was crucial in providing empirical support for the chemical origin of life and the synthesis of organic compound.

Miller's experiment, often referred to as the Miller-Urey experiment (as he was working with Harold Urey), simulated the hypothetical conditions of early Earth's atmosphere (methane, ammonia, hydrogen, water vapor) and applied electrical sparks to simulate lightning. The results of this experiment were significant because he was able to detect the formation of various organic molecules, including amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. This demonstrated that the abiogenic synthesis of organic compound was possible under plausible early Earth conditions, supporting the idea that simple organic molecules could have formed from inorganic precursors.

This successful synthesis of organic compound in the laboratory provided strong experimental evidence supporting the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis and reinforced the concept that the chemical evolution of simple inorganic matter into complex organic molecules formed the basis of life.

Conclusion: Identifying the Experimenter

Based on the details of the historical scientific investigations into the origin of life and the synthesis of organic compound, it is clear that Stanley Miller is the scientist who performed the specific experiment that provided tangible proof for the formation of organic compounds under simulated early Earth conditions. This experiment was a critical step in understanding how the chemical processes could have laid the groundwork, forming the very basis of life.

Therefore, the scientist who performed the experiment to prove that synthesis of organic compound formed the basis of life was Miller. His pioneering experiment remains a cornerstone in origin of life studies.