What specific factor, measurable on Earth, would serve as nearly irrefutable evidence of past metabolic activity?
Answer
Isotopes of carbon being heavily skewed toward the lighter isotope, C12.
If the Earth-based analysis shows the isotopes of carbon are significantly skewed toward C12, this is described as a telltale sign indicating metabolic activity associated with past biology.
Related Questions
Where did Perseverance land and detect potential evidence of ancient life?Why are river deltas considered exceptional locations for finding signs of ancient life?What aspect of the organic molecules found makes the Perseverance finding particularly intriguing, beyond just their presence?Which stage in the simplified progression model requires analysis on Earth to definitively confirm or deny life?What is the primary reason current rover instruments cannot definitively prove the biological origin of organic markers?What is the critical next step planned to verify the Perseverance findings?How does the scientific environment of Jezero Crater compare to Gale Crater explored by the *Curiosity* rover?What specific factor, measurable on Earth, would serve as nearly irrefutable evidence of past metabolic activity?What specific instrument aboard Perseverance studied the organic matter found in fine-grained rocks?Regardless of confirming past life, what monumental achievement has Perseverance secured regarding Jezero Crater?