Why Is the Claim of Fossilized Life in the Martian

question 16

Multiple Choice

Why is the claim of fossilized life in the Martian meteorite ALH84001 controversial?

• A) it is doubtful that the rock actually came from Mars
• B) the proposed fossilized organisms in no way resemble any kind of life found on Earth
• C) the rock is too young to have fossilized life within it
• D) there are many possible nonbiological explanations for the observed evidence

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Definitions:

Diagnostic

Pertaining to the identification of the nature or cause of a health problem, often through evaluation of symptoms and tests.

Statistical

Pertaining to the use of statistics or the methodology of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting numerical data.

Clusters

Groups or collections of similar things or people, often identified through certain algorithms or criteria.

Dramatic

Pertaining to drama or performance, or characterized by emotional, exciting, or unexpected events or circumstances.