With liquid water underneath its icy surface, Jupiter's moon Europa is often cited as a potential site for extraterrestrial life. What other compounds would indicate that chemosynthesis supports life on the planet? (1 point)

Question

• glucose
• methane
• hydrogen peroxide
• oxygen

Answer 1

In the context of potential chemosynthesis supporting life on Europa, the most relevant compound among the options given would be methane. Methane can be produced by certain microbial processes under anaerobic conditions, which may indicate the presence of life or microbial activity, especially in environments where sunlight is limited, such as beneath an icy crust.

The presence of other compounds like glucose and oxygen could also suggest biological processes, but methane is often more directly linked to chemosynthesis in extreme environments. Hydrogen peroxide, while interesting in the context of potential chemical interactions, is not a direct indicator of life in the same way.