Life in Our Solar System

An increase in human skin cancer rates is a potential problem that could result from loss of _______ high in the atmosphere.

• ozone

• methane

• carbon dioxide

• water vapor

Europa is one of the moons that revolve around Jupiter. A thick sheet of ice covers its entire surface. Many scientists believe that the ice is covering an ocean of water, and that it is possible for life to exist on Europa under the thick ice sheet. Recently, using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers spotted water vapor clouds breaking out through Europa's surface. This provided the scientists with a sign that an ocean exists under the ice sheet. Which of the following would best support the theory that life exists on Europa?

• direct evidence of liquid water just below Europa’s surface

• presence of water vapor in Europa's atmosphere

• presence of thick ice sheets on Europa's surface

• revolution of Europa around Jupiter

The temperature of Jupiter increases as one travels farther beneath the clouds. The core of Jupiter may be hotter than the surface of the Sun, but the topmost parts of the planet are extremely cold.

• an appropriate temperature

• abundant organic chemicals

• liquid water

• Earth-like gravity

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Which of the following statements is true?

Earth is the only place in our solar system where...

• water can be found as a gas, liquid, and solid.

• oxygen can be found in the atmosphere.

• active volcanoes can be found.

• greenhouse gases affect the temperature.

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Which of the following planetary characteristics prevents Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune from supporting life as known on Earth?

• their composition

• their number of moons

• their orbital speeds

• their axial tilts

Europa is one of Jupiter's moons. Its surface is covered with frozen water. It is far from the sun and has only a very thin atmosphere, so its surface is considered to be too cold to support life. Beneath the ice, there are probably liquid oceans rich in oxygen, kept warm by heat that escapes from Europa's core.

Which of the following facts supports the idea that life could exist on Europa?

• On Earth, whole ecosystems exist deep in the ocean that use volcanic vents, not sunlight, as a source of energy.

• On Earth, penguins live and breed in the coldest part of the Earth—Antarctica, on the southern polar ice cap.

• On Earth, deep sea fish attract prey with light that is given off by their bodies.

• On Earth, most producers get their energy from sunlight and form the base of entire food webs.

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All life on Earth requires liquid water, in which all of life's essential chemical reactions take place. What gives planet Earth enough energy to maintain liquid water?

• the Sun

• oxygen

• plate tectonics

• the Moon

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Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. It has frozen water on its poles, and it has an extremely thin atmosphere. During the day, the temperature reaches 850°F. At night, its temperature can drop to -275°F. Could life from Earth survive on Mercury? Why or why not?

• No, because the temperatures are too extreme.

• Yes, because Mercury has water and sunlight.

• No, because life can only exist in the place where it first evolved.

• Yes, because Mercury has an atmosphere

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What is the main way that scientists determine which conditions can support life?

• by studying life on Earth

• by studying other planets

• by studying life on other planets

• by running computer simulations

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If _______ ever stopped producing energy, virtually all living things on planet Earth would die.

• the Sun

• wind turbines

• soil

• electric generators

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