3 ms·
For sure it's possible, but evolution rarely gets completely rid of something (as far as we know). My favorite support for RNA-world (and similar) hypothesis is
by exyi 4y ago
For sure it's possible, but evolution rarely gets completely rid of something (as far as we know). My favorite support for RNA-world (and similar) hypothesis is that RNA molecules are used as enzymes in some processes (ribosome - translation), even though RNA is a pretty bad catalyst. If the evolution could choose, it would most likely use a protein, but the cost of switching to "new tech" is too high.
- zmgsabst 4y agoThey’re mentioned elsewhere, but viroids[0] are another example of RNA acting as enzymes[1]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viroid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viroid [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribozyme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribozyme