Concept explainers
Which of the following steps has not yet been accomplished by scientists studying the origin of life?
- A. synthesis of small RNA
polymers by ribozymes - B. abiotic synthesis of polypeptides
- C. formation of molecular aggregates with selectively permeable membranes
- D. formation of protocells that use DNA to direct the
polymerization of amino acids
Introduction:
In studying the evolution of life, scientists have accomplished a lot. For example: From creating the early earth atmosphere in “The Stanley Miller experiment” for reconstructing the “Structure of early human ancestors”.
Answer to Problem 1TYU
Correct answer:
Science today has advanced a lot. Polypeptides, selectively permeable membranes RNA from ribozymes have been synthesized in-vitro. Therefore, option (D) is correct.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct statement:
A protocell or a protobiont was the first cell and the precursor of prokaryotes. It is made from inorganic components and bound by a lipid membrane. Scientists have not yet been able to synthesize a protocell that uses DNA for protein synthesis in the lab.
Option (D) is given as “formation of protocells that that use DNA to direct the polymerization of amino acids”.
“The formation of protocells that that use DNA to direct the polymerization of amino acids has not yet been accomplished by scientists studying the origin of life”, it is the right answer.
Hence, the option (D) is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect statements:
Option (A) is given as “synthesis of small RNA polymers by ribozymes”.
This has been accomplished by the scientists. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (B) is given as “abiotic synthesis of polypeptides”.
The abiotic synthesis of polypeptides has been done in-vitro by the scientists. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (C) is given as “formation of molecular aggregates with selectively permeable membrane”.
This formation of molecular aggregates with selectively permeable membrane too has been accomplished. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (A), (B) and (C) are incorrect.
In the study of origin of life, scientists have accomplished a lot but the artificial synthesis of a protocell that uses DNA for polymerization of amino acids is yet to be accomplished.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 24 Solutions
EP CAMPBELL BIO.FOCUS-MOD.MASTER.(18WK)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology (12th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Prescott's Microbiology
Microbiology Fundamentals: A Clinical Approach - Standalone book
Microbiology with Diseases by Body System (5th Edition)
Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
- Members of the mycoplasma genus of bacteria do not have a cell wall for protection, existing with only a simple cell membrane made up of fatty acids and phospholipids. They cannot however, synthesize their own fatty acids. How is this possible? A. They use host materials B. They use peptidoglycan from other bacteria C. They use anabolism as a way to create their outer membrane D. They use amino acids to build their membranesarrow_forwardWhich of the following extremophiles is the best model for the earliest organisms on Earth? A. a prokaryote found near hydrothermal vents B. an archaean capable of surviving in the polar ice caps C. an anaerobic archaean species D. a bacterium that thrives in a highly acidic environmentarrow_forwardWhich statement about spontaneous generation is false? A. It addresses the formation of living cells from previously nonliving material. B. This was a common belief for during the Middle Ages. C. Pasteur demonstrated that it does not occur under normal laboratory conditions. D. It occurs every time a new species evolves from a preexisting species. E. It apparently occurred at least once – when life on Earth began.arrow_forward
- The endosymbiotic theory explains the:a. origin of the first prokaryotic cells.b. origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotes.c. evolutionary relationship between animals, plants, and fungi.d. method of reproduction in protists.arrow_forwardIn the domain system of classification, prokaryotes are divided into two domains: Bacteria and Archaea. The two domains differ in all BUT one feature. Which feature do they have in common? A. They both thrive in extreme environments. B. They both have prokaryotic cells. C. They both are able to live only under anaerobic conditions. D. They both have identical cell walls.arrow_forwardExplain why the answer is correct. For eukaryote cells to evolve into new types of eukaryotic organisms, which of the following would one expect to occur? The correct answer is E a) these cells have evolved because they have different DNA because of mutations b) Their endoplasmic reticulum is synthesizing new and/or different proteins. c) These specialized cells activate new genes to synthesize new proteins. d) these organisms have new characteristics because they have acquired new genes. e) all of these are truearrow_forward
- Choose the best below ? The RNA-first hypothesis for the origin of cells is supported by thediscovery of a. ribozymes.b. proteinoids.c. polypeptides.d. nucleic acid polymerization.arrow_forwardWhich of these describes the function of RNA polymerase? Question 3 options: a) Amplifies the "message" by making multiple copies of an mRNA molecule after it has been transcribed from DNA b) Transcribes DNA to RNA by catalyzing (forming) the bonds between RNA nucleotides c) Translates DNA into proteins d) Converts a protein sequence to RNAarrow_forwardSelect a statement that is not true about bacteria A. Some bacteria cause human disease B. Some bacteria are autotrophs C. Bacteria can be found within rocks kilometers below the Earth’s surface D. All organisms with cells containing a membrane-enclosed nucleus and organelles are eukaryotes, whereas all organisms with cells lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and organelles are bacteriaarrow_forward
- A unicellular organism has a cell wall, a nucleus, chloroplasts, and several flagella. Which classification best matches this organism? O A. prokaryotic eubacteria O B. eukaryotic protist C. prokaryotic archaebacteria O D. eukaryotic plantarrow_forwardWhich of the following statements is correct? Please select all that apply. Select one or more: a. Parasitism between bacteria and archaea caused complex interactions that eventually gave rise to eukarya. b. While bacteria are prokaryotes, archaea are neither prokaryotic, nor eukaryotic but classified as a 3rd cell type. c. Prokaryotes are classified further based on whether they are unicellular or multicellular organisms. d. The molecular biologies of archaea and eukarya show a greater proportion of similarities than those of eukarya and bacteria. e. Prokaryotes could not make photosynthesis until chloroplast endosymbiosis evolution. f. The last universal common ancestor most likely had a primitive prokaryotic cell organization. g. Endosymbiosis of chloroplast precedes that of mitochondria.arrow_forwardWhy was the development of enzymes fundamental to the evolution of life? a) without enzymes, the activation energy for essential reactions was too low b) enzymes allowed for high rate of catalysis at relatively low temperatures c) enzymes reduced the cellular demand for ATP d) enzymes allowed for reactions to occur spontaneouslyarrow_forward