Several Scientific Laboratories Across the Globe Are Involved in Research

question 74

Multiple Choice

Several scientific laboratories across the globe are involved in research concerning the origin of life on Earth. Which of these questions is currently the most problematic and would have the greatest impact on our understanding if we were able to answer it?

• A) How can amino acids, simple sugars, and nucleotides be synthesized abiotically?
• B) How can RNA molecules catalyze reactions?
• C) How did RNA sequences come to carry the code for amino acid sequences?
• D) How could polymers involving lipids and/or proteins form membranes in aqueous environments?
• E) How can RNA molecules act as templates for the synthesis of complementary RNA molecules?