The original cell was thought to have arisen from the enclosure of self-replicating _______ by a phospholipid membrane.
A) DNA
B) carbohydrate
C) protein
D) RNA

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted hypothesis on the origin of the first cell is the "RNA world" hypothesis, which proposes that self-replicating RNA molecule(s) existed before DNA and proteins. RNA has the unique ability to both store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions, making it a good candidate for the first self-replicating molecule. The phospholipid membrane likely formed spontaneously around the RNA molecule(s) as a way to protect them and creates a separate internal environment.

The Original Cell Was Thought to Have Arisen from the Enclosure