Question

Which of the following experiments could produce evidence supporting the RNA world hypothesis?

• A. The experimenter generates random RNA sequences and then tests those molecules' ability to catalyze biochemical reactions.
• B. The experimenter measures the rates of transcription and translation in a wide variety of organisms.
• C. The experimenter produces an environment closely matching the atmosphere of early Earth and then records which organic molecules are formed.
• D. The experimenter uses $N_{15}$ isotopes to trace the movement of RNA from a retrovirus virus in a cell.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The experimenter generates random RNA sequences and then tests those molecules' ability to catalyze biochemical reactions.

• RNA world hypothesis was given by Carl Woese, Francis Crick and Leslie Orgel in the 1960s before the discovery of DNA.
• This hypothesis states that earlier forms of life relied solely on RNA to store genetic information, duplicate itself and catalyze chemical reactions.
• It further states that life evolved to use DNA and proteins due to the relative instability of RNA and poorer catalytic properties.

Thus the correct answer is option A.