RNA world hypothesis

The RNA world hypothesis proposes that early life on Earth was based on RNA, which acted as both genetic material and a catalyst for chemical reactions. This is because RNA molecules can store genetic information and also exhibit enzymatic activity, a property known as ribozymes.123

This hypothesis is a key concept in abiogenesis, the study of how life arose from nonliving matter. Early experiments, like the Miller-Urey experiment, demonstrated that organic molecules could form from inorganic precursors under early Earth conditions. The RNA world is thought to have preceded the DNA-based life that dominates today, with DNA eventually taking over as the primary genetic material due to its greater stability.23