[Campbell Biology P.575] According to the proposed scenario for the origin of life on early ... | Practice Question

According to the proposed scenario for the origin of life on early Earth, which of the following is NOT one of the four main stages?

  • A: The abiotic (nonliving) synthesis of small organic molecules.
  • B: The joining of these small molecules into macromolecules.
  • C: The packaging of these molecules into protocells.
  • D: The formation of complex multicellular organisms.
  • E: The origin of self-replicating molecules that eventually made inheritance possible.

Explanation

The four main stages proposed for the origin of life on early Earth are: 1. Abiotic synthesis of small organic molecules, 2. Joining of small molecules into macromolecules, 3. Packaging into protocells, and 4. Origin of self-replicating molecules. The formation of complex multicellular organisms is a much later evolutionary step.