Question

Which of the following complicate attempts to understand the origin of life on Earth?

a.

the comparative method cannot be used

b.

modern organisms exhibit little variation in molecular and biochemical features

c.

there are no surviving pre-cellular life forms

d.

viruses are non-living, unless they inhabit cells

e.

all of the above

Answer 1

Which of the following complicate attempts to understand the origin of life on Earth?

Ans : Option c

There are no surviving pre-cellular life forms.

Reason : In order for a life to origin, there must be a genetic molecule like DNA or RNA which is considered to be the building blocks of life. They are capable for making proteins, the basic molecules of life. But modern cells can’t copy DNA and RNA without the help of proteins themselves. It makes more complicated that none of these molecules can do their jobs without fatty lipids which forms membranes of cells where these cells hold DNA, RNA and proteins inside. Yet another complication is that protein-based enzymes are needed to synthesize lipids.