What dual capability allows RNA, according to the RNA World hypothesis, to potentially serve as the original molecule of heredity and function?
Answer
It can store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions (ribozymes)
RNA is hypothesized to solve the chicken-and-egg problem because it possesses both the capacity to store information (like DNA) and the ability to catalyze reactions (like protein enzymes, known as ribozymes).
#Videos
How Did Life Begin on Earth? We Asked a NASA Expert - YouTube
Related Questions
What is the scientific umbrella term for the natural process by which life arises from non-living matter?What aspect of abiogenesis research currently represents the primary scientific mystery or gap where evidence is missing?If geochemical analysis suggests life was established significantly earlier than previously assumed, what burden does this place on abiogenesis models?What specific types of molecules was the Miller-Urey experiment partially designed to demonstrate the formation of under early atmospheric conditions?How does the newer understanding of Earth's early atmosphere generally compare to the older hypothesis regarding reducing gases?Which environments are favored by current theories over the surface 'soup' model due to protection and chemical gradients?What dual capability allows RNA, according to the RNA World hypothesis, to potentially serve as the original molecule of heredity and function?What characteristic does the Metabolism First hypothesis suggest emerged before complex informational molecules?What fundamental purpose did the encapsulation provided by the Lipid World idea serve for early chemical systems?Which hypothesized molecular system suggests that simpler peptide chains provided early catalytic tasks while RNA handled information transfer?What crucial definition point regarding the start of life is noted as requiring clarification in scientific discussion?