RNA World: Was RNA the First Molecule of Life?
Another influential idea is the RNA world hypothesis, which proposes that life originated with self-replicating RNA molecules before DNA and proteins emerged as dominant players. Unlike DNA, RNA can both store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions, making it a compelling candidate for the earliest systems of life. Researchers have made significant strides in the lab, creating RNA molecules that can copy themselves under certain conditions. These experiments inch us closer to understanding how such a world may have existed.