Chapter 25, Problem 1IQ

Why do we say that, for life to have begun, the ability to carry out reproduction and metabolism must have evolved?

Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason why the processes of metabolism and reproduction are important for the evolution of life.

Introduction: Evolution is the process in which a gradual alteration occurs over several generations. During this process, the species of insects, or plants, and animals slowly alter some of their physical features. Different features tend to occur in any known population due to genetic recombination, genetic variation sources, and mutation.

Explanation of Solution

Reproduction is an important characterictic feature of life in which the genetic information is transferred from parent to offspring. This process needs energy to replicate its genetic information. In this instance, the cell undergoes metabolic machinery that provides energy and building blocks to the cell. Thus, the self-replicating molecules involving in metabolic activities by encoding the genetic information is an important process for the evolution of life on the Earth.