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

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Self-replicating RNA molecules with catalytic activity, also known as ribozymes, are widely believed to have been the first genetic material on Earth. This is because RNA can both store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions, which would have been essential for the early processes of life before the evolution of DNA and proteins.

Which of the Following Molecules Was Most Likely the First