How are self-replicating molecules, such as RNA molecules in the “RNA World” hypothesis, essential to the most popular hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth?

Question

turingtest · Answer

The hypothesis (as I remember it) has to do with the idea that certain self replicating molecules were present in the early stages of the formation of the earth. These self-replicating molecules multiplies and mutated, eventually being enclosed in a protective membrane and giving rise to some archaeobacteria-type life forms. I don't see how you could explain the origin of life without the idea that these molecules self-replicate.