Questions 1. According to Benner et al, what four arguments are in favor of an R

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Questions

1. According to Benner et al, what four arguments are in favor of an RNA world hypothesis, and which 4 arguments are against?

2. Critic the RNA world hypothesis based what you know about contemporary RNA chemistry with respect to the following (Benner, Levy & Miller, and Ferus et al):

(a) Ribose 2'-OH reactivity even in the absence of water

(b) Active site of contemporary DNA and RNA polymerases for ensuring fidelity and processivity

(c) Need for RNA primers for DNA synthesis

(d) Enhanced cytosine deamination in the absence of protein (e.g. repair enzymes)

(e) Ability to make all four bases from primordial elements of CO, NH2, and water with laser and discharge plasma (also comment on concentrations of A,C,G & U made)

(f) Once made, stability of the bases A,C,G,U, rNTPs and RNAs as a function of pH and temperature (also comment on the amount of each base made)

(3) Given all you know about modern DNA/RNA/protein nanomachines (polymerases and ribosome), how would you solve the chicken and egg problem: DNA (self) replication requires protein (grandchild) and RNA (child); RNA (self) transcription requires DNA (parent) and protein (child); and protein (self) translation requires RNA (parents) and proteins (self).

Explanation / Answer

Ques-1: According to Benner et al, what four arguments are in favor of an RNA world hypothesis, and which 4 arguments are against

Answer:

Four arguments are in favor of an RNA world hypothesis:

Origin of tRNA

Origin of ribosomal protein synthesis

Components of DNA synthesized from DNA

Formation of RNA based life on early earth

Four arguments are against of an RNA world hypothesis:

1. prebiotic origin of RNA is highly complex

2. RNA is unstable during inheritance

3. RNA exhibits a rare property i.e. catalysis using long RNA sequences, which is against RNA world hypothesis

4. There is limitation on the aspects of the catalytic repertoire of RNA

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