Question

Based on the complex and sophisticated three-dimensional shape, rather than simple linear structure, of which contemporary biological molecule inspired Carl Woese, Francis Crick and Leslie Orgel to first envision the possibility that primitive life forms may have depended exclusively on RNA rather than DNA or proteins?

1) Messenger RNA
2) microRNA
3) Ribosomal RNA
4) short hairpin RNA
5) None

Answer 1

Ribosomal RNA, with its complex 3D structure, is the molecule that inspired the RNA world hypothesis, suggesting RNA as the precursor to DNA and proteins in early life forms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The contemporary biological molecule that inspired Carl Woese, Francis Crick, and Leslie Orgel to first envision the possibility that primitive life forms may have depended exclusively on RNA rather than DNA or proteins is Ribosomal RNA (rRNA). This is because rRNA has a complex and sophisticated three-dimensional shape that allows it to encode genetic instructions and perform catalytic functions akin to proteins, supporting the RNA world hypothesis.

The hypothesis suggests that RNA, capable of storing information and catalyzing chemical reactions, could have been the precursor to DNA and proteins in early life forms.