Final answer:
The RNA world hypothesis proposes that RNA was the first complex molecule to evolve and early life was based on RNA. One major function of ribosomal RNA that supports this hypothesis is its role in protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The RNA world hypothesis suggests that RNA was the first complex molecule to evolve and that early life was based on RNA. One major function of ribosomal RNA that supports this hypothesis is its role in protein synthesis. Ribosomal RNA helps to coordinate the assembly of proteins by decoding messenger RNA and catalyzing peptide bond formation between amino acids.
Furthermore, RNA molecules called ribozymes have been found to have catalytic activity, similar to enzymes made of protein. This suggests that RNA could have served as both genetic material and catalytic molecules during the early stages of life. Evidence also comes from experiments that mimic conditions on early Earth, such as the Miller-Urey experiment, which demonstrated that simple organic molecules, including amino acids and nitrogenous bases, can be synthesized spontaneously under the right conditions.