The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is involved in * 0 points
the study of
astrobiology, which includes the search for life on other planets. The table
below describes the
biological definition of life and the NASA definition of life. If discovered,
which would most likely be considered a living organism by the NASA
definition
but not the biological definition of life?
Biological Definition
maintains a stable
internal state
• made up of one or
more cells
can break down chemical
compounds for energy
grows and reproduces
responds to stimuli
. adapts to changes
NASA Definition
is a chemical system that
makes its own proteins
• can reproduce on its own
has molecules that carry
inherited information
has random variations
in chemical structures
evolves through
natural selection
A. a bacterium that can only break down sugar molecules for energy
B. a virus that needs to insert its DNA into a host cell in order to reproduce
C. a bacterium that can break down oil and other pollutants instead of sugars for
energy
D. a virus that synthesizes its own proteins and reproduces outside of a host cell