RNA world hypothesis

The RNA world hypothesis suggests that, before complex life forms, simple RNA molecules played a crucial role in the origin of life on Earth. Unlike DNA, RNA can store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions. This means that early life may have been based on RNA, allowing it to replicate and evolve over time. The hypothesis is significant because it proposes a potential pathway for life to arise from simple molecules, highlighting how RNA could have served as both genetic material and a catalyst, bridging the gap between simple organic compounds and more complex life forms.