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which came first...


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Just thinking out loud: RNA probably preceded DNA, functioning as a self replicating system. When (and however)DNA came on the scene , the RNA was coerced into its various current roles, including facilitating protein synthethis in ribosomes. The ribosomes would look pretty silly w/out DNA, so I vote for RNA first.

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mind elaborating?

I think he's talking about the RNA world hypothesis.

 

Basically the theory suggests that RNA - which is known to have some catalytic activity as well as, of course, genetic storage capabilities - was the precursor molecule at the origin of life. It has been suggested that RNA molecules could use itself as a template and catalyse the duplication of itself. Then DNA and proteins came along and took over the storage and catalytic roles of RNA, religating it to a messenger and a few other niche roles.

 

see here for details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_world_hypothesis

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