Introduction

Abstract

The Mother Empress (RNA) and the Son Emperor (DNA) of all molecules. It is probably correct to envision the vast preponderance of ancient unicellular life forms as spheroplast-like entities forming communities and replicating by cell divisions in their mature age. Thus, the ancient cells were exempted of senescence and natural death. While their essential genes were propagated by vertical transmissions, horizontal transfers of useful genes were sought after, competed for, and avidly accepted. The precellular appearance of RNA, the ribozymes of the RNA World, predated the generation of DNA molecules. Inasmuch as single and organized nucleotides coexisted with polypeptides before the formation of cells, they remained in unison within the first cell membranes. Their story continues here in a narrative.