Using new, powerful telescopes, biologists today announcedthat they had discovered

Problem 34

Using new, powerful telescopes, biologists today announced that they had discovered evidence of complex organic molecules in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet.

                                                            Step by Step Solution

Step 1 of 2

Modern biology provides three lines of evidence suggesting that life might be common on other habitable worlds: (1) The fact that life arose quickly on Earth suggests that it might occur on any world that has the “right” conditions. (2) We know from observations of meteorites and interstellar clouds that organic molecules are common throughout the galaxy, suggesting that we’ll find them on many other worlds. (3) The fact that life on Earth survives even under some seemingly extreme conditions suggests that life is hardy enough to survive in many other places as well.