Question

Protocell or eobionts, the first forms of life that appeared in sea water were

• A. Anaerobic and chemoheterotrophs
• B. Aerobic and chemoheterotrophs
• C. Anaerobic and photoautotrophs
• D. Aerobic and chemoautotrophs

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Anaerobic and chemoheterotrophs

According to Oparin concept, various molecules aggregated in a hot dilute soup to form coacervates or, the molecules which got separated from the surroundings due to the formation of a polarised membrane of phospholipids and appeared as soap-like bubbles. These molecules had a surface membrane and aggregated self-replicating DNA or RNA and protein molecules. The coacervates and the similar molecules with nucleoproteins were the first living cell or also known as protocell. Protocells or protobionts are nucleoprotein molecules which have free-living genes. They are similar to the present day virus and mycoplasma and hence, they were anaerobic. They were heterotrophs which obtained their energy and nutrients from the organic molecules. Hence, they were chemoheterotrophs.

So, the correct answer is 'Anaerobic and chemoheterotrophs'.