What Evidence Strongly Suggests That RNA Instead of DNA Was

Question

What evidence strongly suggests that RNA instead of DNA was the first genetic material?
A)RNA is simpler in structure than DNA and fits better inside protocells.
B)DNA was too fragile to survive the harsh environment of ancient earth.
C)The ability to replicate evolved much later in DNA.
D)RNA was capable of both self replication and carrying out catalytic functions.
E)DNA did not have all the necessary nucleotide components.

Accepted Answer

RNA was likely the first genetic material because it is capable of both self-replication and carrying out catalytic functions, while DNA lacks the ability to carry out catalytic functions. This suggests that RNA was able to perform both tasks when the first genetic material was evolving, whereas DNA only evolved to carry genetic information later on. Additionally, RNA is simpler in structure than DNA, which could make it more likely to have arisen first. The fragility of DNA and the lack of necessary nucleotide components are not as strong pieces of evidence as the unique properties of RNA.