Fa26 - Search for Extraterrestrial Life: Study Guide 2

Vocabulary practice flashcards based on the Module 2 learning goals and topics from Study Guide 2 for Search for Extraterrestrial Life.

Darwinian Evolution

A foundational biological mechanism included in Module 2 that explains how living organisms adapt and evolve.

Key Chemical Ingredients for Life

The essential chemical components required for life on Earth, identified as a core concept for test#2.

Metabolism

A fundamental biological process and essential topic of life covered under the Module 2 learning goals.

Tree of Life

The biological framework illustrating the relationships and lineage of organisms, studied in connection with DNA and genes.

Miller-Urey Experiment (Miller-Urey exp.)

A key scientific experiment representing pre-biotic chemistry that investigates how prebiotic chemical reactions could lead to life.

Catalysts

Substances whose chemical importance is highlighted in the study of how prebiotic chemistry transitioned into life.

RNA-world

A primordial stage or hypothesis in astrobiology regarding early life, prebiotic chemistry, and catalysts.

Procaryotic and Eucaryotic Cell Structure

The two primary types of cellular architecture that students must know and understand for test#2.

Photosynthesis

A metabolic process whose evolutionary timing is studied in relation to the subsequent buildup of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere and ocean.

Oxygen Buildup in Atmosphere/Ocean

The accumulation of oxygen on Earth resulting from the evolution of photosynthesis, which preceded the colonization of land.

Colonization of Land

A milestone event in the history of life on Earth that occurred following the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere and oceans.

The Dinokiller

A specific example of a mass extinction event on Earth cited in the Module 2 study guide.

The Cambrian Explosion

A major evolutionary event in the history of life on Earth included as a key learning goal for Module 2.

Extremophiles

Organisms examined in astrobiology whose characteristics address the limits and adaptations of life.

Mercury

The planet explicitly noted in the Module 2 learning goals as not being the best planet for astrobiology.

Venus

The planet whose atmospheric and planetary evolution is studied to understand the runaway greenhouse effect.

Runaway Greenhouse Effect

An extreme planetary climate phenomenon studied in Module 2 in connection with what happened to Venus.

Mars

The planet identified in Module 2 as the best planet for astrobiology, studied for its surface, geology, atmosphere, and past liquid water.

Past Liquid Water on Mars

Surface and geological evidence on Mars that supports why it is considered the best planet for astrobiology.