Answer:

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'C', which states that the first life originated in water. This is supported by various scientific studies and evidence.

1. Geological Evidence:
- The Earth's surface was primarily covered with water around 3.8 billion years ago. The first life forms are believed to have originated in these ancient oceans.
- Fossil records indicate that the earliest evidence of life, such as microbial mats and stromatolites, can be found in sedimentary rocks that were formed in water.

2. Chemical Evidence:
- Water provides a suitable environment for the formation of complex organic molecules, which are essential for life. It acts as a solvent, allowing various chemical reactions to occur.
- The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in the 1950s, demonstrated that the basic building blocks of life, such as amino acids, could be synthesized in a simulated primordial ocean environment.

3. Biological Evidence:
- The study of extant organisms provides evidence that water is essential for life. All known life forms on Earth require water to survive and carry out vital biological processes.
- The presence of water is crucial for maintaining cellular structure, facilitating biochemical reactions, and providing a medium for transporting nutrients and waste products.

4. Evolutionary Evidence:
- The theory of evolution suggests that all life on Earth shares a common ancestry. The presence of water as the medium for the first life forms supports the idea that subsequent evolution occurred in water as well.
- The transition of life from water to land and air occurred much later in Earth's history, as organisms gradually adapted to new environments over millions of years.

Conclusion:
Based on geological, chemical, biological, and evolutionary evidence, it is widely accepted that the first life originated in water. Water provided the necessary conditions for the formation and evolution of early life forms. Subsequently, these organisms diversified and adapted to various environments, including land and air. However, the origin of life is still a topic of ongoing scientific research, and further studies may provide additional insights into this fascinating subject.