Question

According to the vignette "RNA in the Primeval World," the discovery of which type of RNA molecules in 1981 led to the conclusion that early life on earth was "an RNA world"?

Answer 1

The discovery of ribozymes in 1981 supported the RNA world hypothesis, indicating that RNA could have been the earliest biochemical molecule capable of both genetic storage and enzymatic functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discovery that led scientists to the conclusion that early life on earth might have been an RNA world involves the identification and study of ribozymes in 1981. Ribozymes are RNA molecules that can catalyze chemical reactions, which supports the hypothesis that RNA had the dual functionality of storing genetic information and performing enzymatic activities.

This is a significant aspect of the RNA world hypothesis, suggesting that RNA was the first biochemical molecule to evolve, with DNA and proteins appearing later in evolutionary history.