Question

One of the grand challenges in biology is understanding how the first cells formed on Earth. Since all cells are bound by a cell membrane, origin of life researchers are interested in modeling what the first membranes may have been like. What types of molecules might these researchers consider to be the original building blocks of cell membranes

Answer 1

The question is incomplete as it does not have the options which are:

A. carbohydrate molecules

B. hydrophilic molecules

C. amphipathic molecules

D. hydrophobic molecules

Answer:

C. amphipathic molecules

Explanation:

Amphipathic molecules are the molecule which posses molecular arrangement in a way that they possess both the water-loving species and water-repelling species.

The amphipathic molecule is best for the formation of cell membranes like the lipid molecules which is comprised of both hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head.

Since the evidence shows that the first cell was formed in the aqueous bodies especially in the oceans by the aggregation of a molecule, therefore, the molecules for membrane must be arranged in a way that it could interact with the surrounding environment as well as protect from the environment and the result was the amphipathic molecules.

Thus, amphipathic molecules is correct.