Which is NOT a Characteristic of a ʺPrimitiveʺ State of Microbial

Question

Which is NOT a characteristic of a ʺprimitiveʺ state of microbial evolution?
A) hyperthermophilic
B) aerobic metabolism
C) small genome
D) branching near the root of the evolutionary tree of life

Accepted Answer

Aerobic metabolism is not a characteristic of a "primitive" state of microbial evolution, as it requires oxygen which was not present in early Earth's atmosphere. The other choices are typical characteristics of primitive microbial life, including hyperthermophily, small genomes, and branching near the root of the evolutionary tree of life.