AP Biology 7.12 Origins of Life on Earth Questions
Practise AP Biology 7.12 by evaluating testable origin-of-life hypotheses, early-atmosphere experiments and catalytic RNA evidence for RNA-world models.
Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Biology
Exam points
evaluate which origin-of-life hypotheses can be tested with observations or experiments
interpret Miller-type experiments linking early atmospheric gases and energy to organic monomers
use catalytic RNA and universal RNA dependence as evidence for RNA-world models
A researcher hypothesizes that RNA molecules were present in the most recent common ancestor of all living organisms. Which of the following scientific questions would best test the hypothesis?
A
Is it possible to produce an RNA polymer in a laboratory setting?
B
How many distinct functions can a particular RNA molecule perform in a cell?
C
How many different monomers of RNA are found in a eukaryotic cell?
D
Do any known organisms function entirely without RNA?