The RNA world is a hypothetical stage in the evolutionary history of life on Earth in which self-replicating RNA molecules proliferated before the evolution of DNA and proteins. [1] The term also refers to the hypothesis that posits the existence of this stage.

Time line for the universe, suggesting the early existence of an RNA world of living systems. In this section we outline some of the arguments in support of the RNA world hypothesis.

Nov 11, 2014 · The RNA World concept is the idea that billions of years ago — before current life based on DNA, RNA and proteins — the primary living substance was RNA or something chemically similar.

RNA World hypotheses differ in what they assume about life that may have preceded the RNA World, about the metabolic complexity of the RNA World, and about the role of small-molecule cofactors, possibly including peptides, in the chemistry of the RNA World.

Jul 6, 2022 · The RNA world hypothesis — which postulates that RNA with both genetic information and catalytic activity had an essential role in the origin of life — is now supported by many scientists.

Mar 4, 2024 · Scientists provide fresh insights on the origins of life, presenting compelling evidence supporting the 'RNA World' hypothesis. The study unveils an RNA enzyme that can make accurate copies of...

According to the RNA world hypothesis, ribonucleic acid is the first genetic material where all genetic information was stored and first life arose from it. It is a self-replicating molecule. In simple words, RNA is the precursor to the every life form that exists today on the earth.

The RNA World Hypothesis is a proposed explanation for how life emerged on Earth out of basic chemistry. One long-standing paradox over the nature of life's origins is how modern biochemistry could possibly have evolved through natural selection to govern its own replication in …

The so-called “RNP World” – for ribonuleoprotein world – posits that RNA could not have had enough catalytic prowess without the help of peptide cofactors. This is a rather attractive hypothesis and various authors have varying degrees of opinions on its strength.

Ensuing discoveries of other natural catalytic RNAs that could cleave and ligate phosphodiester bonds, and the very recent observation that the region surrounding the peptidyl transferase center of a bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit contains RNA and no protein, further buttress the hypothesis.