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Multiple Choice
Which type of RNA is hypothesized to have played a crucial role in the origin of life due to its ability to catalyze chemical reactions and store genetic information?
A
Ribozymes
B
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
C
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
D
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of RNA in the origin of life: RNA is believed to have been a crucial molecule in early life forms due to its dual ability to store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions.
Identify the types of RNA: The main types of RNA are ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), and ribozymes.
Recognize the function of each RNA type: rRNA is part of the ribosome structure, tRNA helps in protein synthesis by carrying amino acids, mRNA carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, and ribozymes are RNA molecules with catalytic activity.
Focus on ribozymes: Ribozymes are unique among RNA types because they can catalyze chemical reactions, similar to protein enzymes, and also have the ability to store genetic information.
Conclude that ribozymes are hypothesized to have played a crucial role in the origin of life due to their dual functionality, making them a key candidate in the RNA world hypothesis.