Saturday, March 2, 2013
We Have Life! Scientists Confirm Microbes Beneath Antarctic Glaciers
Summary: Scientists can now confirm the finding of microbes living half a mile under glacier ice in dark wetlands. Two months ago scientists were drilling in ice and found what they thought were microbes. They tested it the first time by giving the sample DNA sensitive dye which made the sample glow green. However, this test is not always accurate, so to make sure they put the sample through six other verification methods. After all of this they are sure it is life. This discovery may be useful in understanding how organisms survived in cryoecosystems under a lot of pressure with no light or warmth.
Relevance: In class this term we learned all about microbes and about how the first organisms were. The article talks about the harsh conditions the microbes live in which also relates to the unit.
Author:Elbert Chu
Published: February 13, 2013
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-02/life-found-deep-beneath-antarctic-glaciers-cold-dark-and-under-pressure
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What are the other six verification methods?
ReplyDeleteThe article does not say, and this article is the most recent of the topic. I'm sorry to say I cannot answer your question, but maybe more information will come out soon regarding the verification methods.
DeleteHow do these microbes interact with the rest of the ecosystem?
ReplyDeleteThese microbes particularly are in glacier ice and therefore are most likely not very motile due to the temperature. Also they probably get what the need to survive from the ice.
Delete