A Large Reserve of Methane Is Found in a Pocket

question 51

Multiple Choice

A large reserve of methane is found in a pocket below the ocean floor and isotope analysis revealed that the ¹³C/¹²C ratio is lower than that predicted by the natural occurrence of these isotopes.This finding suggests that the methane was produced by ______.

• A)a geochemical process
• B)the metabolic activity of microorganisms
• C)a radioactive decay process
• D)oxidation of sulfite

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Definitions:

Extracellular Digestion

The breakdown of food outside cells, typically seen in simple organisms or in certain animal digestive systems.

Decomposers

Organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so carry out the natural process of decomposition.

Multicellular

Organisms composed of more than one cell, with cells differentiated to perform specialized functions, found in most life forms including plants, animals, and fungi.

Club Fungi

Fungi belonging to the division Basidiomycota, characterized by their reproductive structure shaped like a club.