2007-12-06 01:02:23 · 5 answers · asked by Kirell G 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
it must eat (undergo digestion)... so watch to see if it eats. (cept plants...if its a plant like organism then i guess see if it likes sunlight or starts to die in total darkness)
2007-12-06 01:07:54 · answer #1 · answered by Peter Griffin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ideal way to tell if there are living organisms in a sample (rock, soil, ice...) is to try culturing it. If stuff grows and reproduces, it's alive.
However, many environmental organisms require extremely specific culture conditions that are not easily achieved on a petri dish, so if culturing is not an option, scientists usually do an in-situ PCR on the sample itself for polymorphisms on conserved genes. This techique is usually used to detect new organisms.
2007-12-06 10:34:32 · answer #2 · answered by john d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about the list of characteristics of living things, and see if your organism satisfies all (or at least most) of them.
2007-12-06 09:11:45 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use the characteristics of living things.
Living things are made of cells.
Living things obtain and use energy.
Living things grow and develop.
Living things reproduce.
Living things respond to a stimulus.
Living things adapt to their environment.
2007-12-06 09:55:38 · answer #4 · answered by todg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
poke it with a stick
2007-12-06 09:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by Tee Tee W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋