RNA World Hypothesis

According to the video, what does DNA primarily do?

• Store energy

• Store information

• Create proteins

• Replicate itself

What is the challenge regarding DNA and proteins?

• DNA needs proteins to function, and proteins need DNA in order to exist.

• DNA can replicate without proteins.

• DNA is made of proteins.

• Proteins can store genetic information.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

What are two reasons that lead scientists to believe that RNA came first?

• RNA can store information

• RNA can perform vital cell functions

• RNA can store energy

• RNA can produce energy

Select theories that scientists have to support the RNA World hypothesis.

• RNA formed in ancient underwater volcanic vents.

• RNA was formed on Mars and carried to Earth by asteroids.

• Early single-celled organisms were the original RNA.

• Clumps of clay merged key chemical building blocks together

What role did early RNAs play in the development of life?

• They created the first proteins.

• They formed the double helix structure of DNA.

• They self-replicated and evolved into complex life forms.

• They were only found in volcanic vents.

What is one function of modern RNAs mentioned?

• They can only store information.

• They can slice, dice, & replicate themselves.

• They can only build proteins.

• They are no longer a necessary component for life.

True or False: the RNA World hypothesis states that RNA was the precursor to DNA, but now it no longer exists.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The RNA World hypothesis states that RNA molecules were the first forms of life, mutated at some point into DNA, but still exists in more complex, efficient forms today.