Although absolute distinctions between the "most evolved" protobiont and the first living cell are unclear, biologists generally agree that one major difference is that the typical protobiont could not

Question

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The typical protobiont could not perform controlled, precise reproduction. This is a major difference between the protobiont and the first living cell, which had the ability to reproduce in a controlled and precise manner.

Answer: A, E
 The protobiont could not possess a selectively permeable membrane boundary, which would have allowed it to selectively absorb compounds from the external environment. Therefore, it also could not absorb compounds from the external environment in a controlled manner.

Although Absolute Distinctions Between the "Most Evolved" Protobiont and the First