Final answer:
The earliest life-forms are expected to have used RNA for information storage and ribozymes for catalyzing chemical reactions. RNA likely served the dual purpose of storing information and carrying out the chemical work of the cell before DNA evolved as a more stable form of information storage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the information provided, if you were to travel back in time to examine some of the earliest life-forms, you would expect to find RNA used for information storage and ribozymes catalyzing chemical reactions. The idea of an early "RNA world" has become increasingly accepted by origin of life researchers.
RNA is believed to have served the dual purpose of storing information and carrying out the chemical work of the cell. DNA likely evolved later as a more stable form of information storage.