Refer to the table below showing data obtained from laboratory experiments that used the amino acid glycine in combination with a clay mineral kaolinite.The combination was subjected to repeated cycles of wetting and drying over many days.At various times during these cycles, samples were analyzed for changes, specifically the yield of glycine dimers, etc.Control samples without kaolinite produced no change in glycine. Which hypothesis about the origin of life on Earth do these data support?
A) Small biological molecules are formed by reaction of simple molecules present in the atmosphere.
B) The formation of the earliest biological polymers was favored by the presence of catalysts.
C) The rise of life on Earth occurred over a very long period of time.
D) Early Earth had a reducing atmosphere that did not include oxygen.
E) Water was present in large amounts in certain areas of primitive Earth at the time of the rise of life.

Question

Refer to the table below showing data obtained from laboratory experiments that used the amino acid glycine in combination with a clay mineral kaolinite.The combination was subjected to repeated cycles of wetting and drying over many days.At various times during these cycles, samples were analyzed for changes, specifically the yield of glycine dimers, etc.Control samples without kaolinite produced no change in glycine.  Which hypothesis about the origin of life on Earth do these data support?
A) Small biological molecules are formed by reaction of simple molecules present in the atmosphere. 
B) The formation of the earliest biological polymers was favored by the presence of catalysts. 
C) The rise of life on Earth occurred over a very long period of time. 
D) Early Earth had a reducing atmosphere that did not include oxygen. 
E) Water was present in large amounts in certain areas of primitive Earth at the time of the rise of life.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data supports the hypothesis that the formation of the earliest biological polymers was favored by the presence of catalysts, specifically the clay mineral kaolinite. This suggests that the presence of catalysts could have played a role in the formation of the first biological polymers necessary for life to arise.

Refer to the Table Below Showing Data Obtained from Laboratory