Question

You are working at NASA studying new life forms found in the Cueva de Villa Luz caves. You have collected an unknown specimen that appear to be 0.5 micron in size, have a cell membrane and ribosomes. This specimen could be…

Answer 1

The specimen likely represents a prokaryotic cell, fitting the size range and lacking a membrane-bound nucleus, which are characteristics of bacteria and archaea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The unknown specimen you've collected from the Cueva de Villa Luz caves exhibits characteristics that provide vital clues to its classification. With a size of 0.5 micron, a cell membrane, and ribosomes, but without mention of a nucleus or other specialized organelles, it's likely that your specimen is a prokaryotic cell. Prokaryotic cells, which encompass bacteria and archaea, typically have sizes within the 0.1 to 5.0 µm range, making the size of your specimen fitting. In addition, they all possess a plasma membrane and ribosomes, as you've noted in your specimen. The absence of a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles in your description also points towards this classification.

Answer 2

A bacteria

Step-by-step explanation:

Cueva de Villa Luz is a cave in Mexico famous for high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid in water.

Organisms living in this conditions should be adapted. The only known organisms capable of obtaining energy from hydrogen sulfide (lithotrophs) are prokaryote.

We are also told that the specimen collected appears to be 0.5 micron, which is in accordance with bacteria. It has a cell membrane and ribosomes, which they do have as well.

This specimen could be a lithotoph bacteria.