Final answer:
The plume of material from Comet Tempel 1 contained water vapor and organic compounds, which are essential for the development of life and consistent with the composition of cometary material that has contributed to Earth's water and organics.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Deep Impact mission, the plume of material knocked off Comet Tempel 1 was analyzed for its composition. Observations and measurements indicated the presence of water vapor, as well as various trace materials. These materials included organic compounds, which are critical to the formation of life. Additionally, there were minerals similar to those found in comet dust, such as hydrocarbons and silicates, which are also found on dark, primitive asteroids. While other components such as metallic elements and radioactive isotopes might be of interest, the mission's findings particularly highlighted the role of comets in delivering water and organic compounds to celestial bodies.