evolution of a cell

Question 1

LUCA

Answer 1

last universal common ancestor
- first cell on earth and ancestor of all biological life on the planet

Question 2

what is the first cell a result of?

Answer 2

chemical evolution

Question 3

stage 1 of chemical evolution of a cell

Answer 3

white smoker hydrothermal vents on early earth contained minerals,
sulfur, simple chemical compounds, and an energy gradient

Question 4

stage 1 steps

Answer 4

early earth -> inorganic molecules -> energy/water -> complex molecules

Question 5

stage 2a of chemical evolution of first cell

Answer 5

RNA replicators

Question 6

what are the requirements for RNA to be a replicator?

Answer 6

1. contain information that leads to replication
2. cause itself to replicate based on that information’s interaction with the environment

Question 7

RNA-world hypothesis

Answer 7

proposes that RNA was likely the molecular replicator responsible for kick-starting life on Earth

Question 8

how does RNA hold information for making copies of itself?

Answer 8

hydrogen bonding in base pairing of nucleic acids

Question 9

RNA replication evolution

Answer 9

1. RNA replicator
2. RNA replicator evolution into ribozymes
3. formation of DNA, proteins, and carbs by RNA machines

Question 10

RNA theory progression

Answer 10

1. RNA World: informational RNA forms into functional RNA
2. translation
3. functional RNA creates proteins
4. DNA synthesis
5. proteins turn into informational DNA

Question 11

stage 2b of chemical evolution of first cell

Answer 11

lipid structures

Question 12

steps of stage 2b

Answer 12

1. chemical evolution led to phospholipids
2. phospholipids form into bilayers because they are amphipathic
3. allows for internal environment separate from outside world

Question 13

stage 3 of chemical evolution of first cell

Answer 13

life (cell)

Question 14

first cell structure

Answer 14

1. nucleic acids are synthesized inside protocell
2. fatty acid bilayer allows uptake of free nucleotides

Question 15

timeline of cell formation

Answer 15

1. chemical evolution
2. LUCA
3. prokaryotes
4. bacteria, eukaryotes and archaea

Question 16

requirements of cell theory

Answer 16

1. all living things are composed of 1 or more cells
2. cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things
3. new cells are produced from pre-existing cells