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Related Concept Videos

Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

Eukaryotic Evolution

The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Origin of Cellular Life01:24

Origin of Cellular Life

The origin of life on Earth is a complex and enigmatic event rooted in ancient biochemical processes and geological conditions. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that life began with the spontaneous formation of organic molecules such as RNA nucleotides, amino acids, and lipids under early Earth conditions. Factors like volcanic activity, intense UV radiation, and a reducing atmosphere without free oxygen likely facilitated these reactions. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are...
Conditions on Early Earth02:06

Conditions on Early Earth

Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.
Bacterial Transcription01:53

Bacterial Transcription

RNA polymerase (RNAP) carries out DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Bacteria do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. So, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, on the same DNA template.
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:

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Micellar Composition Affects Lipid Accretion Kinetics in Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Support for Lipid Network Reproduction.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Assessment of DNA Contamination in RNA Samples Based on Ribosomal DNA
13:16

Assessment of DNA Contamination in RNA Samples Based on Ribosomal DNA

Published on: January 22, 2018

The RNA-First Fallacy: Conflating Evolutionary Ancestry with Prebiotic Primacy.

Amit Kahana1,2

  • 1Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
PubMed
Summary

The RNA-World hypothesis, while supported by evidence, may overstate RNA's role as life's first molecule. A broader view of early chemical networks is needed for origins-of-life research.

Area of Science:

  • Origins of life research
  • Astrobiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The RNA-World hypothesis is a leading theory for life's origin.
  • This hypothesis suggests RNA was the primary molecule of early life.
Keywords:
RNA worldRNA-firstabiogenesisautocatalytic setsevolutionorigin of lifeprebiotic chemistryprotobiology

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Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Assessment of DNA Contamination in RNA Samples Based on Ribosomal DNA
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Assessment of DNA Contamination in RNA Samples Based on Ribosomal DNA

Published on: January 22, 2018

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
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Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

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Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo
10:51

Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo

Published on: October 31, 2014

  • The theory is supported by RNA's catalytic and genetic capabilities.