For microbes to survive the journey in a meteorite from another solar system body to the Earth they would have to survive the
A) impact that blasted the rock off of the surface of its home world
B) high energy particles and radiation in space
C) entry through our atmosphere
D) all of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Microbes would have to survive all of these conditions to make it to Earth through a meteorite. The impact that blasted the rock off the surface of its home world would subject the microbes to extreme temperatures and pressures, while the radiation and high energy particles in space can damage or destroy biological molecules. Finally, entry through our atmosphere subjects the microbes to heat, pressure, and potentially destructive forces such as impact or combustion. Surviving all of these conditions would be a significant challenge for any organism, but it is not impossible.

For Microbes to Survive the Journey in a Meteorite from Another