Which of the following was $NOT$ present in a free form during the origin of life?

The first cellular life appeared on Earth about ......... years ago.

What were the contributions of the scientists Louis Pasteur $(1860)$,Oparin,and Haldane to the study of the origin of life?

Which organic components evolved on Earth and were essential for the origin of life?

What does '$b$' represent in the given diagram?

Two statements regarding the origin of life are given below:
$(a)$ The first organisms that emerged on Earth are believed to have been devoid of chlorophyll and incapable of respiration.
$(b)$ The first food-producing organisms were chemosynthetic and never released oxygen.
Based on the above statements,which of the following options is correct?