What is the role of ribozymes as proposed in the RNA World Hypothesis?

The role of ribozymes in the context of the RNA World Hypothesis is particularly significant because they highlight the versatility and functional potential of RNA molecules. Ribozymes are RNA molecules that can catalyze chemical reactions, which means they can facilitate the formation of new bonds or break existing ones. This catalytic capability suggests that early forms of life could have relied on RNA not only for genetic information storage but also for metabolic processes.

In the framework of the RNA World Hypothesis, it is proposed that life may have originated from self-replicating RNA molecules. Ribozymes could have played a crucial role in this scenario by assisting in the copying of RNA — ensuring the fidelity and efficiency of replication processes. Additionally, they could help in protecting RNA by catalyzing reactions that stabilize RNA structures or facilitate their replication under adverse conditions, thus contributing to the emergence of early cellular life.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary proposed role of ribozymes within this hypothesis. For instance, while DNA synthesis and protein synthesis are critical processes in modern biology, they are not the focus of the RNA World Hypothesis, which emphasizes the importance of RNA. Ribozymes are not primarily structural components and do not assist in providing structural support; their main function is