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Mars Sample Return Issues and Recommendations (1997) / Chapter Skim
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6 EVALUATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SAMPLES RETURNED FROM MARS
Pages 27-29

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From page 27...
... SEARCHING FOR SIGNS OF LIFE Based on our current understanding of biology, it must be assumed that life elsewhere, if it exists at all, is composed of the same chemical elements and compounds that make up living organisms here on Earth. Extremely sensitive methods of chemical analysis are available, and these techniques will no doubt improve considerably by the time returned samples are ready to be examined.
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From page 28...
... Even the simplest organisms require membranes to establish charge separation and to separate cell components from the external environment. The technology for viewing surfaces or preparations and searching for features in the size ranger of biological entities has undergone rapid development, and, if features are identified that are reminiscent of cells or cell components, the technology soon will be available to determine whether such features are of biological origin.
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From page 29...
... Attempts to cultivate putative organisms, or to challenge plant and animal species or tissues, are not likely to be productive. Moreover, if viable exogenous biological entities are discovered in the sample material, prudence would indicate that they remain segregated from Earth's biosphere (i.e., they should remain in containment or be made nonviable through sterilization)
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Key Terms

  • biological entities
  • returned samples
  • focus exclusively
  • returned sample
  • martian sample

  • terrestrial organisms
  • outbound spacecraft
  • organisms conveyed
  • potential hazards
  • cell components

  • viable exogenous
  • extremely sensitive
  • resting states
  • aboard outbound
  • putative martian

  • contain compounds
  • remain segregated
  • living organisms
  • simplest organisms
  • viewing surfaces

  • single cell
  • deemed hazardous
  • improved techniques
  • organisms occurs
  • terrestrial ancestor

  • organisms require
  • improve considerably
  • sensitive methods
  • signatures soon
  • separate cell


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