Have you ever wondered how life on earth sprang up? Where does life come from and what does it take to be alive? Recently, researchers have synthesized ribose- the sugar involved in the backbone of RNA- in the lab based on ice commonly found in space. Previously researchers had synthesized pyrimidine bases cytosine, uracil and thymine; parts of the DNA/RNA alphabet. While others have collected amino acids from meteorites. Think about all the different components that need to work to replicate DNA, create mRNA messages, and translate those messages into proteins for the cell to use.
For our discussion, pick a side (yes or no) and answer the following question:
Do you think life in outer space is possible?
If YES, what might it look like?
Sample Solution
