Question

Suppose that a meteorite crashes into earth and a sample of it is taken to a local research lab for analysis. embedded several inches within the rocky structure, a microscopic cluster of dormant, spore-like structures is found. the scientists culture some of this material in a standard microbiological nutrient broth, and they are surprised to find many single-celled "organisms" moving around, growing, and reproducing in the broth. the "organisms" behave the same in both daylight and dark conditions, do not require oxygen, and persist under a wide range of temperatures and ph levels. they stop moving, growing, and reproducing, however, when fewer nutrients are available in the medium.

Answer 1

In the given case, the organism most closely resembles a heterotrophic species of Archaea.

Archaea comprise a domain of single-celled microorganisms. These microbes are prokaryotes, they possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from the other domains of life.

They utilize more sources of energy in comparison to eukaryotes, these vary from organic compounds to ammonia, metal ions, or even hydrogen gas. The salt-tolerant Archaea utilize sunlight as a source of energy, and other species of Archaea fix carbon.

Archaea was at the beginning observed as extremophiles, thriving in harsh conditions, like salt lakes and hot springs, but they have since been witnessed in a wide array of habitats, like oceans, soils, and marshlands.