Fatty acids and ribozymes are incompatible as early molecules of life because ____.
A) they have different pH requirements
B) they most likely developed millions of years apart
C) fatty acid vesicles are impermeable to ribozymes bound to ferrous oxide
D) magnesium is required for ribozyme function but causes fatty acids to precipitate
E) magnesium is required for fatty acids to form vesicles but causes ribozymes to precipitate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Magnesium ions are essential for the catalytic activity of ribozymes, helping in the folding and stabilization of their structure to perform catalysis. However, these same magnesium ions can cause fatty acids, which can form cell-like vesicles, to precipitate out of solution. This precipitation disrupts the formation of stable vesicles, which are crucial for creating compartmentalized environments necessary for the early processes of life. Thus, the requirement of magnesium for ribozyme function and its adverse effect on fatty acid stability presents a compatibility issue between these two components in early life forms.

Fatty Acids and Ribozymes Are Incompatible as Early Molecules of Life