In evolutionary terms, RNA is thought to have preceded proteins and DNA. Which of the following provides the most convincing support for this hypothesis?

a. there are more types of RNA than there are of DNA
b. RNA can both store genetic information and act as an enzyme
c. single stranded RNA is less structurally complex than double stranded DNA
d. viruses containing protein are among the oldest forms of life

B?

Yes, option B provides the most convincing support for the hypothesis that RNA preceded proteins and DNA in terms of evolution. RNA has the ability to both store genetic information (similar to DNA) and act as an enzyme, which is a key characteristic of proteins. This suggests that RNA could have performed both functions during early evolution, before proteins and DNA emerged.

To arrive at this answer, you can eliminate options A, C, and D because they do not directly support the hypothesis that RNA came before proteins and DNA in evolutionary terms.

Option A, which suggests that there are more types of RNA than DNA, is not a strong argument because the number of different types of molecules does not necessarily indicate their evolutionary order.

Option C, which states that single-stranded RNA is less structurally complex than double-stranded DNA, is also not convincing because complexity alone does not determine evolutionary precedence.

Option D, which claims that viruses containing protein are among the oldest forms of life, is unrelated to the hypothesis being asked and provides no support for the idea that RNA preceded proteins and DNA.