Biology

Question

Which of the following molecules was most likely the first genetic material on Earth?

A

DNA produced by reverse transcriptase from

abiotically produced RNA

B

DNA molecules whose information was transcribed

to RNA and later translated in polypeptides

C

self-replicating RNA molecules with catalytic

activity

D

oligopeptides located within protocells

Answer

C. Self-replicating RNA molecules with catalytic activity.

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The most likely first genetic material on Earth was self-replicating RNA molecules with catalytic activity. This is because RNA molecules are capable of both...