Final answer:
The first step in the origin of life is believed to be the formation of basic organic molecules, with the RNA-first model suggesting RNA's capability to store information and catalyze reactions as a possible pathway to primitive gene replication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in the origin of life is thought to have involved the formation of basic organic molecules, like amino acids, which are crucial for life. These molecules likely formed under conditions that were present on the early Earth. It is a complex process from these simple organic compounds to the first functioning cell, which required the capability to extract energy from the environment, and the means of encoding and replicating genetic information.
The RNA-first model suggests that RNA could have been the first nucleic acid to evolve due to its ability to store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions, potentially leading to the synthesis of proteins and the replication of primitive genes. However, the exact mechanism and sequence of events remain a topic of ongoing scientific research and debate.