All living organisms are related to some degree, making their genetic code universal. Existence of this universal code strongly suggests that all living organisms have a universal common ancestor. The more similar the genetic codes, the more closely related the species are, and the more differences in the code the more distant they are related. The Rhesus Monkey is the closest related species to humans and chimpanzees on the chart, having no differences in its coding sequence. Candida Yeast is the most distantly related, having 19 differences.
RNA molecules are essential to popular hypotheses such as the “RNA World” hypothesis because, besides being self-replicating; RNA molecules are also catalysts. Therefore, in the "RNA world" hypothesis,
RNA molecules are essential to popular hypotheses such as the “RNA World” hypothesis because, besides being self-replicating; RNA molecules are also catalysts. Therefore, in the "RNA world" hypothesis,