Prebiotic chemistry refers to the study of the chemical processes that may have led to the formation of life on Earth before the emergence of living organisms. It explores how simple organic molecules, such as amino acids and nucleotides, could have formed from inorganic compounds under conditions present on the early Earth, such as volcanic activity and lightning. Researchers investigate various environments, including hydrothermal vents and primordial soup, to understand how these molecules could combine and evolve into more complex structures. This field also examines the role of meteorites and comets in delivering organic materials to Earth, potentially contributing to the origins of life.