Question

Which of the following helps early protobionts to evolve into living cells?
a. A semipermeable membrane and a nucleus
b. Competition for resources and the development of hereditary mechanisms
c. A semipermeable membrane and the ability to catalyze chemical reactions
d. A nucleus and the ability to catalyze chemical reactions
e. A mechanism for growth and a mechanism for asexual reproduction

Answer 1

Hint: Protobiont is also called a protocell, it is a simple cell, which has both organic and inorganic compounds.
It is usually considered as a precursor to living cells.

Complete answer:
- Protobionts are very simple cells, they are usually composed of both organic as well as organic substance which are packed in bilayer lipid membrane.
- At the same time the bilayer lipid membrane is selectively permeable which may result in selective expansion and contraction. And some protobionts have ability to maintain some voltage across the membrane, some protobionts have ability to go through some reproduction.
- In the process of reproduction they may produce smaller liposome microspheres
- During in this process if any amino acids get trapped in lipid membrane so it become partially permeable to organic molecule
- If any self-reproducing molecule formed inside the protobiont, it may has characteristic of prokaryote
- So after a series of events like this may occur which may result in the formation of first living prokaryotes.

Correct option: B. Competition for resources and the development of hereditary mechanism

Note: So mainly for protobionts to evolve into living organisms, it should have capability to trap surrounding molecules and resources and at the same time and to have hereditary mechanisms.