Concept explainers
The meaning of “life as we know it”, and the reason that astrobiologists suspect that extraterrestrial life is likely to be of this form.
Answer to Problem 1Q
“Life as we know it” means that an organism must be composed of mainly organic (carbon- based) molecules and extraterrestrial life is likely to be of this form because these are the basic elements for the existence of any kind of life.
Explanation of Solution
The statement “life as we know it” means that organism must be composed of mainly organic (carbon- based) molecules such as oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. They are the most abundant element present in any organism similarly as they do in life on Earth.
Abundance of liquid is also one of the main substances for the survival of life such as water on Earth. Liquid is required so that biochemical reaction can occur easily.
Life can only exist in places where there is chemical disequilibrium maintained by natural conditions. Chemical disequilibrium is important because it offers the potential for providing chemical energy for life and it can show how energy is transformed in
Carbon is also one of the most important elements due to its complex chemical behavior and therefore, it is the basis of biochemical process which is known as life.
Astrobiologists suspect that extraterrestrial life is likely to be of this form because these are the basic elements for the existence of any kind of life.
Conclusion:
Thus, “life as we know it” means that organism must be composed of mainly organic (carbon- based) molecules and extraterrestrial life is likely to be of this form because these are the basic elements for the existence of any kind of life.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 27 Solutions
UNIVERSE (LOOSELEAF):STARS+GALAXIES
- If we do find life on Mars, what might be some ways to check whether it formed separately from Earth life, or whether exchanges of material between the two planets meant that the two forms of life have a common origin?arrow_forwardMars and Europa are two Solar System bodies that are considered possible habitats for Earth-like life. Why?arrow_forwardMolecules of which gas were needed in Earths atmosphere for life to evolve from living in the sea to living on the land? Why?arrow_forward
- Why are we limited to finding life on planets orbiting other stars to situations where the biosphere has created planet-scale changes?arrow_forwardWhy is life unlikely to be found on the surface of Mars today?arrow_forwardWhy is liquid water generally considered necessary for the origin of life?arrow_forward
- What are the three requirements that scientists believe an environment needs to supply life with in order to be considered habitable?arrow_forwardWhat are the advantages to using radio waves for communication between civilizations that live around different stars? List as many as you can.arrow_forwardLife on Earth exists because of oxygen in Earths atmosphere. True false? Explain your answer.arrow_forward
- Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399944Author:Michael A. SeedsPublisher:Cengage LearningFoundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399920Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage Learning
- AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9781938168284Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. WolffPublisher:OpenStaxAn Introduction to Physical SciencePhysicsISBN:9781305079137Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar TorresPublisher:Cengage Learning