The Glow of Life | Great Minds: Emmett Chappelle

The video discusses the work of Dr. Emmett Chappelle, who developed a method to detect life by using ATP, a molecule found in all living things. His test, inspired by fireflies, was initially intended for Mars missions but found numerous applications on Earth, such as detecting bacteria in medical samples. Chappelle's contributions to science earned him significant recognition, and his legacy continues to impact various fields.

What was the primary challenge in detecting life on other planets as mentioned in the video?

• Detecting life forms that are too small to see

• Finding planets with similar atmospheres to Earth

• Building spacecraft capable of reaching distant planets

• Communicating with potential extraterrestrial life

How did Emmett Chappelle's military service benefit his education?

• He received scholarships for college

• He was given a teaching position

• He was able to study abroad

• He gained access to engineering classes and specialist training

What is the universal energy molecule found in all known living things?

• Ribose

• Glucose

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

• Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)

What was the main purpose of the Firefly test developed by Chappelle?

• To detect life by identifying ATP in samples

• To study the behavior of fireflies

• To measure the brightness of stars

• To create artificial light sources

Why was the Firefly test not used in NASA's Viking missions to Mars?

• It was considered unreliable

• It was too expensive to implement

• It was not selected among the tests carried by the Viking Landers

• It required human intervention

In what way did Chappelle's test prove useful on Earth?

• Detecting life in extreme environments

• Studying plant growth in greenhouses

• Identifying infections in medical samples

• Monitoring air quality in cities

What innovation did Chappelle develop to assess the health of crops from space?

• Using drones to capture images

• Making plants fluoresce with lasers

• Analyzing soil samples remotely

• Deploying satellites with infrared sensors