It is likely that the protocell was

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The protocell, being the earliest form of life, did not have access to sunlight for photosynthesis. Therefore, it was not photoautotrophic. It is possible that it could have been either heterotrophic or chemoautotrophic, depending on the specific conditions and resources available at the time. Hence, option E, either heterotrophic or chemoautotrophic, is the best choice. Option D, all of the above, is incorrect because it includes photoautotrophic, which we can eliminate based on the reasoning above.

It Is Likely That the Protocell Was