Exam 4: Nucleic Acids and the Origin of Life

Hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean, where hot water emerges from beneath Earth's crust, lack oxygen gas and contain metals such as iron and nickel.This is important for understanding the chemical evolution of life on Earth because

What is the sequence of the complementary strand of RNA made from this template sequence? 5ʹ-AGC TTC GCT GAA GCT CGG-3ʹ (Note: The spaces between the nucleotides have been inserted in order to make the sequence easier to read.)

Suppose that scientists succeed in creating experimental conditions that generate living cells from nonliving matter.Which statement best expresses how this achievement will affect thinking about the history of life on Earth?

Spontaneous generation is origination of _______ from inanimate matter.

The bases of nucleic acids are purines or pyrimidines.Which statement contrasting purines and pyrimidines is true?

The process by which an RNA nucleotide sequence is read to make a sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide is called _______.

Which is a characteristic of protocells?

Refer to the table below containing data collected from chemical analysis of a molecule that can form a bilayer membrane in water.This molecule forms more stable membranes at pH 7 than it does at pH 2. Draw the structure of the molecule at pH 7 to show the bonding arrangements between the atoms.Identify the part of the molecule that interacts with water and the part that interacts with the interior of the membrane.

Miller and Urey's 1954 hot chemistry experiment was based on the assumption that Earth's early atmosphere contained water (H₂O) vapor, methane, hydrogen, and ammonia.Subsequent research showed that volcanoes released carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) around 4 billion years ago.This discovery suggests that

Which statement about protocells is true?

Examination of meteorites suggests that

What is attached to the 5ʹ carbon of deoxyribose in DNA?

Which statement is true?

In a cell, the correct sequence of the flow of information from storage to function is

The Miller-Urey experiment showed that in an environment with conditions similar to those of Earth,

The "RNA world" hypothesis is supported by evidence that

The double-stranded structure of DNA results from

Several scientific findings about the origin of life on Earth are listed.Which finding can be used to justify the claim that catalysts were needed for life to arise from nonlife?

Five statements describing various properties of DNA are given.Which statement can be used to explain how DNA is able to serve as an informational molecule?

In 2011, microfossil structures were found in sandstone about 3.4 billion years old and 20 miles from the site of J.William Schopf's discovery.What was distinctive about these microfossils was that they were