How is DNA even possible anyway?

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What does current evolutionary theory say about a situation like the following: How DNA came into being in the first place, when it is made of bases, but in order to replicate new bases have to be constructed (from parts that we get from food, I guess), but the DNA contains the information that tells cells how to construct bases.

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Current thought is that DNA may not have been the first molecule to carry the information required for replication. Catalytic RNA may have been the first molecule to carry out both replication and information storage. Normal RNA found in the cell carries the information from the DNA to protein translation. However, there are certain RNA molecules that are able to carry out reactions just like proteins are. In fact, these catalytic or enzymatic RNA's are able to construct other RNA molecules. The implication is that both proteins and DNA may have been an offshoot of RNA activity. This makes sense since DNA is more stable than RNA and proteins are more dynamic in the number of conformations they are able to assume. In other words, DNA and proteins do a better job than RNA.A good site for an overall idea of what I am talking about:
The RNA World and other origin-of-life theories. by Brig KlyceA google search can turn up more. If you want, I could do a more in depth search if you have questions on specifics.

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I have biology books, but their mention of those theories is very very uninformative. I guess one studies that stuff in molecular. I am more into organism/ecology. I have not studied molecular biology at all in college yet.

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My guess is that you probably won't here much about it at all throughout your college career. Most scientific academic programs focus on applicable aspects of biology and chemistry. Abiogenesis really doesn't have any commercial application and probably won't in the near future. At best, it might be brought up in a seminar type class where current research is discussed.And I almost forgot, welcome to EvC. If you want to make those fancy quote boxes follow this syntax:{quote} text being quoted {/quote}
and instead of using "{" use the same key without the shift key. You can find other formatting suggestions by clicking on the faq option at the top of the page.Added in edit:An easier way to figure it out is to click on the "raw text" button at the bottom of each post. Try mine out if you want.This message has been edited by Loudmouth, 09-23-2004 04:29 PMThis message has been edited by Loudmouth, 09-23-2004 04:30 PM