The RNA world hypothesis proposes that life began with self-replicating RNA molecules, which preceded the evolution of DNA and proteins. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are considered a potential environment for the emergence of primitive life due to their high temperatures, presence of minerals, and availability of chemical energy.
However, the fundamental question of how these initial self-replicating molecules formed and organized into complex biological systems is still a subject of intense scientific inquiry. Further research in fields like biochemistry, molecular biology, and astrobiology continues to explore various theories, conduct experiments, and gather evidence to shed light on this fundamental question.