Can life exist on other planets? Looking at the planets in the Solar System, we can see that the very special environment needed to support life as we know it is not easy to come by.
In this experiment, students prepare a life form by mixing yeast with a nutrient broth consisting of water and sugar. This is then exposed to different conditions that approximate the environment on each planet.
What you need
- Download student activity (menu at right)
- 1 cup of luke-warm water
- 3 teaspoons of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of yeast
- 1 empty but clean 500ml or 600ml plastic soft drink bottle
- 1 party balloon
- 1 elastic band
- 1 cloth measuring tape
- Acid (vinegar, orange juice or lemon juice)
- Freezer
- Boiling water
- Microwave oven
- UV light (if available)
Venus
Magellan Project, JPL, NASA