life in space

Question 1

how many characteristics of life do you need to survive

Answer 1

All 9!!!

Question 2

what are the 9 characteristics of life?

Answer 2

-cell
-carbon-based biochemistry
-organization
-energy and metabolism
-growth and development
- reproduction
- homeostasis
-response to stimuli
- adaptation

Question 3

cell def.

Answer 3

All organisms are composed of these tiny units that contain all the materials necessary for life.

Question 4

carbon-based biochemistry def.

Answer 4

All living things have DNA and they are considered organic.

Question 5

organization def.

Answer 5

All living things have a particular arrangement to them.

Question 6

energy and metabolism def.

Answer 6

All living things must have a way of creating the ability to stay alive.

Question 7

growth and development def.

Answer 7

All living things change in size and appearance over time.

Question 8

reproduction def.

Answer 8

All living things have to have the ability to create more of their species.

Question 9

homeostasis def.

Answer 9

All living things must maintain an internal stable environment.

Question 10

response to a stimuli def.

Answer 10

All living things have the ability to react to their environment (both internally and externally).

Question 11

adaptation def.

Answer 11

All living things have the ability to change over time to ensure their survival in a changing environment.

Question 12

What are the 5 components necessary for a planet or moon to have life?

Answer 12

liquid water

energy

an atmosphere

reasonable temperature range

nutrients

Question 13

What is the most important factor for life to exist?

Answer 13

liquid water

Question 14

Four important facts about WATER.

Answer 14

1. Water transports vital substances inside the organism.
   2. Water (oceans) influence world climate patterns.
   3. It helps the planet maintain a constant/stable temperature to support life.
      4. (Water expands when it freezes, unlike most liquids. This allows lakes to freeze from the top down) – allowing life to live through very cold winters under the frozen surface.

Question 15

two important facts about energy

Answer 15

1. The sun provides most of the heat, light, and other energy, which makes life possible on Earth.
   2. The Earth’s location, in reference to the Sun, enables it to:

a. Maintain liquid water: If the Earth were closer to the Sun, the water would evaporate away and if the Earth were farther away from the Sun, all the water would freeze.
b. The Sun is the perfect size, age, distance, temperature, and brightness for life to exist here on Earth.

Question 16

astrobiology def.

Answer 16

The branch of biology that investigates the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.

Question 17

atmosphere def.

Answer 17

mixture of gasses that surround a planet, moon, or other space object.

Question 18

biochemistry def.

Answer 18

The science dealing with the chemistry of living matter.

Question 19

cellular respiration def.

Answer 19

The process by which some organisms use C6H12O6 and O2 to produce CO2 and H2O and ATP (cell energy).

Question 20

energy def.

Answer 20

The ability to cause change.

Question 21

extremophile def.

Answer 21

Organisms that live in extreme environments. (like bacteria in a volcano or hot / sulfur spring)

Question 22

Gravity def.

Answer 22

A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses.

Question 23

A phenomenon in which the atmosphere of a planet traps radiation emitted by its sun, caused by gasses such as CO2, H2O vapor, and CH4 that allow incoming sunlight to pass through but retain heat radiated back from the planet’s surface.

Answer 23

Greenhouse Effect:

Question 24

Homeostasis

Answer 24

The maintenance of a constant internal state in a changing environment.

Question 25

orbit def.

Answer 25

The path that a body follows as it travels around another body in space.

Question 26

Ozone def.

Answer 26

A gas molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms (O3). The ozone layer in the atmosphere blocks most ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth’s surface.

Question 27

Photosynthesis def.

Answer 27

The process by which some organisms use CO2 and H2O and Sunlight to produce C6H12O6 and O2.

Question 28

planet def.

Answer 28

A relatively large spherical body that orbits a star.

Question 29

solar system def.

Answer 29

The sun and all of the planets and other bodies that travel around it.

Question 30

Ultraviolet radiation def.

Answer 30

Solar radiation that has the ability to harm life, by damaging the genetic material in organisms.

Question 31

mitochondria summary

Answer 31

-blue

-squiggle

-oval

Question 32

chloroplast summary

Answer 32

-oval
-green
-stacked coins

Question 33

know elements and compounds

Answer 33

yes

Question 34

Four important facts about an ATMOSPHERE.

Answer 34

1. It has greenhouse gasses that trap the Earth’s heat and keep the planet from becoming too cold.
   2. It protects the Earth from harmful radiation, while permitting useful radiation to reach the surface – helping main life.
   3. The atmosphere consists of a mixture of “dry air” which contains roughly: Nitrogen
      (78.09%), Oxygen (20.95%), Argon (0.93%), Carbon Dioxide (0.039%), and other gasses.
      4. Air also contains variable amounts of water vapor – averages 1.0%.

Question 35

One important fact about TEMPERATURE RANGE.

Answer 35

There needs to be a particular temperature range in order to support life. If it is too cold, chemical reactions cannot occur inside of an organism to support life AND if it is too hot, the organism will start to break down. (Ideal temperature range is between -15°C and 115°C)

Question 36

Two important facts about NUTRIENTS.

Answer 36

1. Nutrients must be available in order to build an organism’s cell(s) / body. These nutrients must contain a carbon source to build the carbon-based biochemistry of all living things.

   2. 	There must also be a way to cycle the nutrients through the ecosystem – volcanic eruptions, 
       plate tectonics, and a way to cycle water.

Question 37

How does gravity affect the atmosphere of a planet or moon?

Answer 37

The greater a planet’s mass, the greater the
gravitational pull and the lighter the gasses it can hold on to. Small planets only have an atmosphere of
heavy gasses like CO2, N2, and O2 because their gravitational pull is not strong enough to hold onto the
lighter gasses. Larger, denser planets can hold all the heavier gasses and the lighter gasses as well like H2, He, and CH4 because they have such a strong gravitational pull.

Question 38

Explain 2 reasons why the rotation of the Earth is so important.

Answer 38

The Earth’s rotation allows all parts of the Earth to receive energy from the Sun. This allows
plants to be able to do photosynthesis and to be able to grow in almost all regions of Earth.

This rotation also helps balance the Earth’s climate by allowing all parts of the Earth to
receive solar radiation for heat. It allows for liquid water to occur all around the Earth.

Question 39

What are 7 basic things manned exploration in space would require?

Answer 39

1. A supply of oxygen and air pressure.
   2. A supply of water.
   3. A supply of food.
   4. A source of insulation.
   5. A waste management system.
   6. A way to overcome gravity issues (sleeping, exercise, ways to eat/drink).
   7. Two-way communication devices for on the spacecraft and for back to Earth.

Question 40

What are the long-term side effects of weightlessness

Answer 40

muscles and bones in the legs and lowk back weaken

length of spine increased causing back pain

the heart weakens because it doesn’t have to work as hard

Question 41

what two things are needed for exploration in space

Answer 41

spacesuits and spacecrafts

Question 42

what do spacesuits and spacecrafts do for humans

Answer 42

They will both provide humans with protection from heat, cold, and ultraviolet ration. They also provide all the life support items that would be needed like water, food, oxygen, air pressure, waste management systems, communication devices, and gravity assistance - like anchors and straps.