17 Jan 05
Originally posted by KneverKnightwe are searching for life that would be very similar in many respects to life on earth, i.e water, oxygen, etc... so if we found life matching that description on another world it would not be unreasonable for it to very similar to life on earth.
Just an observation: It would seem to be poor science to look for micro-organisms on another planet using a probe contaminated by earth bacteria. "Hey, those bugs look just like ours!"
19 Jan 05
Originally posted by AThousandYoungWater is HO2 dude. That means ANY water has oxygen in it!
Water does contain oxygen as part of it's molecules. However this is not the oxygen that organisms breathe. They breathe gaseous oxygen that has been dissolved in the water. If there is no gaseous oxygen, I don't think organisms can get the oxygen in the molecules of the water.
19 Jan 05
Originally posted by stammerI have it on record that the last few moon landings returned with some of the original objects left on the moon - and that they discovered them covered with bacteria! Yes, bacteria which survived on the moon for years! If you want confirmatin f this I think you can find it on the website for The Science Channel.
If the elements to support life were there, they probably would.
Can't send life from here to Titan (or any other spot in the solar system) and expect it to survive once it's outside the contained environment that sent it htere.
All life here needs Oxygen and water. Unless there are those two basic elements, life cannot exist.
19 Jan 05
Originally posted by soulbyThis would separate the water molecules from one another. It would not separate the oxygen from the hydrogen.
what about water boiling near volcanic vents?
The reason organisms breathe oxygen is that they use it to oxidize other substances. In the process energy is released and the oxygen gets reduced. The oxygen in water molecules is already reduced.