What role, if any, did polysaccharides play in chemical evolution?
A) Polysaccharides catalyzed chemical reactions.
B) Polysaccharides used complementary pairing between monosaccharides to copy themselves.
C) Glycosidic linkages formed spontaneously between monosaccharides.
D) Polysaccharides played little, if any, role in chemical evolution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed from monosaccharides, but there is little evidence to suggest they played a significant role in chemical evolution. The early stages of chemical evolution are thought to have been driven primarily by simpler molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, which could catalyze reactions (in the case of proteins) or store and transmit genetic information (in the case of nucleic acids). Polysaccharides, while important for energy storage and structural components in modern life, do not have the catalytic capabilities or the ability to store genetic information, making them less likely to have been pivotal in the earliest stages of life's development.

What Role, If Any, Did Polysaccharides Play in Chemical Evolution