Question

Proteins carry out much of the biochemistry of life, including DNA replication, but DNA stores the information needed to build correct proteins. Early life forms would have needed both proteins and DNA, but neither can exist without the other. The RNA world hypothesis is an appealing solution to this problem, because it states that ________.

1) RNA can evolve into DNA by natural selection

2) proteins can store the information needed for their own synthesis

3) RNA is more chemically stable than DNA

4) nucleotides of RNA are chemically similar to amino acids

5) some RNA molecules both store information and catalyze chemical reactions

Answer 1

The RNA world hypothesis addresses the origin of life problem by suggesting that RNA could store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions, which is the correct completion of the statement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The RNA world hypothesis is a compelling solution to the origin of life's 'chicken and egg' problem because it suggests that RNA molecules could serve a dual function. This hypothesis posits that RNA was capable of both storing genetic information and catalyzing chemical reactions, which would have been essential for early life forms before the evolution of DNA and proteins. The correct statement that completes the sentence is: some RNA molecules both store information and catalyze chemical reactions.