Why do astrobiologists study alternative forms of energy?
Many microbes obtain their energy from rocks. Others get energy from the material released from deep-sea vents. Astrobiologists study organisms in these extreme environments to understand how they survive and why they live in these places. By studying extreme environments and the organisms that live in them, we can learn where to search for life on other planets and moons. What is the role of water in the energy flow? Water is important in every part of Earth’s biological energy flow. Energy could not move through living things without it. The cells that make up all living things are primarily made of water. Water is also required to complete the chemical reactions that happen inside and around cells. Producers such as plants, need water in order to produce their own food and to transport nutrients. Animals, such as humans, need water in order to regulate their body temperature and to carry nutrients throughout their bodies. How do the oceans fit into the energy flow? Three-quarters of
