Certain_________ block prokaryotic ribosomes, but not those of eukaryotes.

Certain proteobacteria________ nitrogen.

The earliest life form may have been a_________ that obtained energy from inorganic compounds.

The answers to these fills in a crossword puzzle.

Certain ANTIBIOTICS block prokaryotic ribosomes, but not those of eukaryotes.

Certain proteobacteria FIX nitrogen.

The earliest life form may have been a CHEMOAUTOTROPH that obtained energy from inorganic compounds.

To find the answers for these crossword puzzle clues, we can follow a logical approach:

1. Certain __________ block prokaryotic ribosomes, but not those of eukaryotes.
To fill this clue, we need to look for a term or group of terms that refer to substances or antibiotics that specifically inhibit prokaryotic ribosomes, while leaving eukaryotic ribosomes unaffected.

A possible answer could be "antibiotics." Many antibiotics, such as tetracycline, streptomycin, and erythromycin, selectively target the ribosomes of prokaryotes (bacteria) by binding to certain bacterial ribosomal subunits and interfering with protein synthesis. Eukaryotic ribosomes, found in our cells, are not affected by these antibiotics.

2. Certain proteobacteria ________ nitrogen.
To complete this clue, we should focus on terms related to proteobacteria and their role in nitrogen processing.

A suitable answer is "fix" or "fixate." Certain proteobacteria, such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum, are capable of nitrogen fixation. They convert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N₂) into a usable form, such as ammonia (NH₃), which can be readily utilized by plants and other organisms.

3. The earliest life form may have been a _________ that obtained energy from inorganic compounds.
For this clue, we look for terms that describe early life forms and their reliance on inorganic compounds for energy.

A potential answer is "chemoautotroph" or "chemolithotroph." Chemoautotrophs are organisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or ammonia (NH₃). These compounds serve as energy sources for their metabolic processes, allowing them to convert simple inorganic substances into organic compounds.

By filling in these answers, you can complete the crossword puzzle.