- Bacteria can sometimes survive asteroid-like impacts and shocks.
- Scientists tested bacteria with a fast gas gun.
- The bacteria came from a very dry desert.
- Many bacteria survived the lower-pressure impacts in tests.
- Some cells had membrane breaks and internal damage.
- At higher pressures more cells were often harmed.
- In one test the steel holder broke suddenly.
- The study suggests life could move between planets.
- This idea affects mission rules and safety policy.
- More tests will check other organisms and repeats.
Difficult words
- bacterium — a very small living cell, often invisiblebacteria
- survive — to stay alive after a hard eventsurvived
- impact — a strong hit or collision of two thingsimpacts
- membrane — a thin layer that covers a cell
- pressure — force that pushes on something or someonepressures
- organism — a living thing, like bacteria or animalsorganisms
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you been to a desert?
- Would you like to study bacteria in a lab?
- Do you think life can move between planets?
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