Question

a scientist wishes to provide experimental evidence to support the model shown in figure 1 by demonstrating the ability to synthesize an rna molecule. which of the following is an alternative hypothesis that can be tested to support the rna world hypothesis?
a a protein template that matches proteins found on the primitive earth added to a mixture of deoxyribonucleotides will produce double - stranded dna molecules.
b double strands of dna placed in a harsh environment will unwind and form rna molecules for long term information storage.
c a pool of amino acids can spontaneously form into single - stranded rna, which would then code for proteins.
d a mixture of ribonucleotides such as adenine and uracil will spontaneously form single - stranded chains of rna.

Explanation:

The RNA World Hypothesis suggests that RNA was the first genetic material and could self - replicate. To support this, we need to find a hypothesis that shows RNA can be synthesized.

• Option A: It is about forming DNA from deoxyribonucleotides and a protein template, which is not related to RNA synthesis for the RNA World Hypothesis.
• Option B: It is about DNA unwinding to form RNA, but the RNA World Hypothesis is about RNA being the primary genetic material initially, not DNA forming RNA. Also, DNA is more stable and not thought to be the first genetic material in this hypothesis.
• Option C: Amino acids form proteins, and RNA is made of nucleotides, not amino acids. So this is incorrect.
• Option D: Ribonucleotides are the building blocks of RNA. If a mixture of ribonucleotides (like adenine and uracil - containing ones) can spontaneously form single - stranded RNA, this shows that RNA can be synthesized, which supports the idea that RNA could have been formed in the primitive environment as per the RNA World Hypothesis.

Answer:

D. A mixture of ribonucleotides such as adenine and uracil will spontaneously form single - stranded chains of RNA.