Photo AI
ATP is an organic molecule common to the metabolism of every species on Earth - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 10 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 10
ATP is an organic molecule common to the metabolism of every species on Earth. Which of the following statements explains why this fact is considered evidence for e... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:ATP is an organic molecule common to the metabolism of every species on Earth - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 10 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
The gene for ATP developed in the earliest organisms and has been retained by subsequent species.
Answer
This statement suggests that the presence of ATP across all species is evidence of common ancestry. The idea is that ATP originated in early life forms, and as organisms evolved, they retained the genes responsible for the production of ATP. This retention of a fundamental biochemical component illustrates how life forms have diverged from a common ancestor while maintaining essential cellular functions, thus supporting the theory of evolution.