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One theory of early life on Earth states that the first life forms did not use oxygen for respiration and were unable to make their own food. Based on this theory, which types of organisms were most likely present? *
A. aerobic, autotrophic bacteria
B. anaerobic, autotrophic bacteria
C. aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria
D. anaerobic, heterotrophic bacteria


Sagot :

The theory of primitive life on Earth is fascinating, there are countless scientists who try to explain how life began on Earth, but to be able to answer how the first living beings were we need to know that.....

Oparin and Haldane hypothesis

The most widely accepted hypothesis about the origin of life today is the Oparin and Haldane hypothesis. According to this idea, the primitive Earth would be constituted by

  • Ammonia
  • Hydrogen
  • Methane
  • and Water vapor,

which are constantly expelled by volcanic activities. The condensation of this water vapor gave rise to a cycle of rains, as these, upon reaching the still hot surface of the Earth, evaporate again, thus initiating a new cycle.

Through the action of the sun's ultraviolet radiation and constant electrical discharges, the elements present in the atmosphere began to react, giving rise to the first organic compounds, called amino acids. The rains carried these compounds to the primitive oceans, which formed when the Earth's surface cooled, allowing water to accumulate on the surface.

In primitive oceans, these amino acids joined together, forming protein-like compounds (proteinoids), and then, after further reactions, these gave rise to coacervates. These became more stable and complex, controlling their own chemical reactions and being able to self-duplicate, thus giving rise to the first living beings.

Heterotrophic and autotrophic hypotheses

Some authors believe that the first organisms would be heterotrophs. This was due to the fact that the first organisms were simple, lacking the structure to carry out a more complex biochemical process to obtain food, for example, photosynthesis. Thus, these organisms fed on simple organic matter, presenting as the end product of this process carbon dioxide (CO2) and alcohol (C2H5OH), that is, the first living organisms would be fermentors.

With this information, we can say that the first living being on the planet was anaerobic, heterotrophic bacteria.

  • D. anaerobic, heterotrophic bacteria

There have always been many theories about the origin of life on the planet, but this is the most acceptable among scientists, but it is necessary to know that they are not yet fully proven, so they continue as a theory.

Learn more about Oparin and Haldane hypothesis In https://brainly.com/question/2280186?referrer=searchResults