Hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean, where hot water emerges from beneath Earth's crust, lack oxygen and contain metals such as iron and nickel.In laboratory experiments, these metals have been shown to
A) spontaneously form double-layered spheres.
B) catalyze formation of nucleic acids.
C) polymerize sugar molecules.
D) catalyze polymerization of amino acids.
E) convert light energy into chemical energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Laboratory experiments have shown that metals such as iron and nickel in hydrothermal vents can catalyze the polymerization of amino acids.

Hydrothermal Vents Deep in the Ocean, Where Hot Water Emerges