Final answer:
It is true that understanding plants can help sustain life on Earth and other planets. Plants are a fundamental part of Earth's biosphere and could be integral to establishing human life in space, an area of study in astrobiology. This knowledge is crucial for developing life support systems in long-duration space missions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that our understanding of plants can be used to sustain life on Earth and possibly other planets is true. On Earth, plants play a crucial role in maintaining the biosphere by contributing to the composition of our atmosphere and supporting the food webs. Earth is currently the only planet with a robust biosphere visible through telescopic observations, but scientists have conjectured that life could, or may once have, existed elsewhere in the solar system, like Mars or the icy moons.
The field of astrobiology studies the coevolution of life and planets. This field recognizes the profound impact life has had on Earth and explores the potential for life on other worlds. On Earth, humans depend on plants for oxygen, food, and clean water, and this relationship would be essential in colonizing other planets.
Plants have evolved with gravity sensors, and studies have shown they could offer life support for long-duration space missions by regenerating the atmosphere and providing sustenance. Understanding how plants might adapt to conditions such as microgravity is critical for future space exploration and the potential habitation of other planets.