If they exist ,can they reproduce and multiply?.Since some of the bacteria takes mineral as their food.
2006-12-28 12:49:00 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Absolutely! Obviously, there wouldn't be any aerobic bacteria (that we know of) found in outer space, but chemolithoautotrophs would probably be able to be found wherever there is a source of something to "breathe" (accept and donate electrons) and a source of water.
Of course viruses, as we know them, would need a host, but would likely be present where there was bacterial life (bacteriophages).
2006-12-28 12:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an interesting question and one that has been asked for a couple of centuries. There is a concept called "panspermia" that suggests life started on the Earth by organisms being seeded from space. This may be possible if we posit that organisms can go into a spore-like state capable of withstanding the cold and vacuum of outer space. So far, the theory has been pushed to the back burner of consideration.
If micro-organisms did exist in outer space, they almost certainly would have to exist as spores. Bacteria would probably freeze solid unless some type of cellular antifreeze existed and would do so for centuries at a minimum. Virii would become frozen chunks of proteins as they lack an innate ability to reproduce, depending on cells to provide the mechanisms needed to reproduce.
Insofar as I know, neither the Kuiper high-altitude research plane nor any probes that have been sent into space have come across any actual proof that bacteria and virii are capable of existing for any extension time in outer space.
2006-12-28 20:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by eriurana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,
Apollo 12 recovered some bacteria from a probe after it (the probe) was on the lunar surface for 2 years.
2006-12-28 20:52:45 · answer #3 · answered by RationalThinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, some theories on epidemics are that we pass through comet tails that may be shedding bits of minerals and viruses that are floating around in space. It's one reason we need a lunar base for quarrantine, not an orbiting station that might allow things to fall into our atmosphere.
2006-12-28 21:07:22 · answer #4 · answered by theshadowknows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, if one can see the recent research in arctic and most volcanoes. bacteria are surviving.
so they may survive in outer space aswell.
2007-01-01 08:16:12 · answer #5 · answered by Space Sciences Academy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-12-31 04:42:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋