Ribozoans, or ribozymes, are RNA molecules that possess catalytic properties, allowing them to catalyze biochemical reactions, similar to enzymes made of proteins. They play crucial roles in various biological processes, including RNA splicing and the synthesis of proteins. Ribozymes are significant in the study of the origins of life, as they provide evidence for the RNA world hypothesis, which suggests that early life forms may have relied solely on RNA for both genetic information and catalysis.