Multiple Choice
Which statement about the global carbon cycle is most accurate?
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Intro to Organic Chemistry
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Which type of organic molecules were likely the first to evolve on Earth?
A
Lipids
B
Proteins
C
Simple carbohydrates
D
Nucleic acids
Verified step by step guidance1
Consider the conditions on early Earth, which were likely harsh and lacked complex biological systems. The first organic molecules would need to be simple and able to form spontaneously under these conditions.
Simple carbohydrates, such as monosaccharides, are basic organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They can form through simple chemical reactions involving water, carbon dioxide, and other basic compounds present on early Earth.
Evaluate the complexity of each type of molecule listed. Proteins and nucleic acids are complex polymers that require specific conditions and catalysts for their synthesis, making them less likely to be the first organic molecules to evolve.
Lipids, while simpler than proteins and nucleic acids, still require specific conditions for their formation and are less likely to spontaneously form compared to simple carbohydrates.
Conclude that simple carbohydrates, due to their basic structure and ability to form under prebiotic conditions, are the most likely candidates for the first organic molecules to evolve on Earth.
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