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Difficulty: HardCross-Text Connections: Relational Synthesis

Text 1
Planetary protection protocols for Mars missions are excessively conservative, relying on the premise that terrestrial microbes could easily propagate on the Martian surface. Given the sterilizing ultraviolet radiation, extreme aridity, and pervasive perchlorates in the soil, the likelihood of Earth organisms surviving—let alone proliferating—is negligible. Consequently, the high costs of sterile assembly processes unnecessarily hinder space exploration.

Text 2
It is true that Mars's surface is highly hostile to life. However, subterranean environments present a different scenario. Terrestrial endolithic bacteria, which inhabit the interiors of rocks, have demonstrated survival in simulated Martian subsurface conditions. Since upcoming missions aim to drill deep into the Martian regolith to search for biosignatures, ignoring the risk of introducing subterranean contaminants could permanently compromise future astrobiological discoveries.

Based on the passages, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the claim in Text 1 that the sterilization of Mars-bound spacecraft is an unnecessary expense?

  1. A
    By claiming that the extreme aridity and perchlorates on the Martian surface are actually less hostile than Text 1 suggests.
  2. B
    By asserting that the high costs of sterile assembly are justified because terrestrial endolithic bacteria have already been detected on Mars.
  3. By arguing that terrestrial microbes pose a contamination risk to Martian subterranean environments, which are more hospitable than the surface environments discussed in Text 1.Answer
  4. D
    By suggesting that planetary protection protocols should focus on preserving surface regolith rather than drilling sites.

Answer

The correct answer states that the author of Text 2 would respond by arguing that terrestrial microbes pose a contamination risk to Martian subterranean environments, which are more hospitable than the surface environments discussed in Text 1.
The author of Text 2 would respond to the claim in Text 1 by pointing out that while the surface of Mars is indeed hostile to life, upcoming missions will target subterranean environments. Since research shows that certain terrestrial bacteria can survive in simulated subsurface conditions, sterilization remains necessary to prevent contamination of these underground areas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main argument and evidence of Text 1.
Text 1 argues that sterilization protocols are a waste of money because the Martian surface is too hostile for terrestrial microbes to survive.
This establishes the viewpoint that the author of Text 2 will react to.
2
Identify the main argument and evidence of Text 2.
Text 2 concedes that the surface is hostile but introduces evidence that terrestrial endolithic bacteria can survive in Martian subsurface environments, which upcoming missions will target by drilling.
This provides the qualification to the argument in Text 1.
3
Determine how the author of Text 2 would respond to the claim in Text 1.
The author of Text 2 would argue that while Text 1 is correct about the surface, sterilization remains necessary because subterranean environments are hospitable and vulnerable to contamination.
This synthesizes the relationship between the two texts.
4
Evaluate the options to find the one that matches this synthesized response.
The option arguing that terrestrial microbes pose a risk to subterranean environments matches this synthesis.
This identifies the correct option.

Key Concept

Cross-Text Connections: Relational Synthesis
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Cross-Text Connections: Relational Synthesis

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