Most planetary scientists agree that Mars extreme conditions would beuninhabitable to life as we know it.
New research, however, suggests that we might be underestimating the hardiness of lichens.
Researchers in Poland have revealed that some lichen species can endure a Mars-like environment while remaining biologically active.
New research suggests that a species of lichen might survive on Mars.© Lichen: Skubała et al. Design: Pensoft Publishers.
Billions of Years Ago, Mars Featured Beaches Fit for a Vacation, Astronomers Say
The researchers exposedD.
aculeatato Mars-like atmospheric conditions, including simulated air pressure and temperature changes, for five hours.
They also simulated the amount of X-ray radiation Mars could experience in a year of intense solar activity.D.
muscorumperformed significantly better thanC.
aculeata: its fungus maintainedmetabolism(the life-sustaining chemical reactions that provide energy) throughout the experiment.
We found thatDiploschistes muscorumwas able to carry out metabolic processes and activate defense mechanisms effectively.
The results indicate thatD.
muscorumcould potentially survive on the surface of Mars.
Hydrated organisms are organisms whose compositions have sufficient amounts of water to maintain biological functions.
Ultimately, this research deepens our knowledge of lichen adaptation and their potential for colonizing extraterrestrial environments.
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