Question

(01.03 mc)
which hypothesis helps to explain why all organisms share the same genetic code?
o a early earth had an abundance of volcanoes and lacked an ozone layer.
o b deep-sea vents provided the energy needed for the first organic compounds to form.
o c microspheres divided and share common characteristics with present-day cells.
o d self-replicating rna molecules passed on genetic information.

question 4 (4 points)
(01.03 mc)
which of the following would most likely be key to gathering evidence that the rna world hypothesis is valid?
o a creation of suitable environments for long-term study of single-celled organisms
o b simulation of early earth conditions and long-term study of the resulting molecules
o c development of a system for studying the microspheres ability to absorb additional molecules
o d categorization of the different specific conditions that result in the development of microspheres

Explanation:

For the first question:

• Option a describes Earth's early physical conditions (volcanoes, lack of ozone layer), which is not related to the genetic code.
• Option b is about the origin of organic compounds (deep - sea vents), not the genetic code.
• Option c is about microspheres (protocell - like structures) and their characteristics, not the genetic code.
• Option d: In the RNA World hypothesis, self - replicating RNA molecules passed on genetic information. Since all organisms share a common genetic code, it is hypothesized that this code originated from early self - replicating RNA molecules.

For the second question:

• Option a: Studying single - celled organisms in long - term environments does not directly test the RNA World hypothesis (which is about the origin of life and RNA as the first genetic material).
• Option b: The RNA World hypothesis is about the conditions on early Earth. Simulating early Earth conditions (such as high temperatures, presence of certain gases, etc.) and studying the resulting molecules (to see if RNA or RNA - like molecules form and can self - replicate) is a key way to gather evidence for the RNA World hypothesis.
• Option c: Studying microspheres' ability to absorb molecules is related to protocell formation, not directly to the RNA World hypothesis.
• Option d: Categorizing conditions for microsphere development is about protocells, not the RNA World hypothesis.

Answer:

First question: d. Self - replicating RNA molecules passed on genetic information.
Second question: b. Simulation of early Earth conditions and long - term study of the resulting molecules.