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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2002
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In the Laboratory
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A Nonradioactive Simulation of the Viking Mission Labeled-Release Experiment: A Search for Evidence of Life
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Eduardo Cortón
Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Liliana Haim
Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Santiago Kocmur and Guillermo J. Visbeek
Instituto Antártico Argentino, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lydia Galagovsky
Centro de Formación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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September 2002
Vol. 79 No. 9
p. 1105
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| Abstract |
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How does one distinguish life from nonlife? This hands-on activity reproduces the life-test experiments carried out by the Viking Mars missions by simple nonradioactive laboratory experiments. A CO2 potentiometric electrode is used to measure the carbon dioxide released by the addition of glucose solution to soil and sand samples. The experiments include sterile samples with and without potassium hydrogen phthalate and sodium bicarbonate to test nonbiological reactions. The experimental results are subjected to a kinetic analysis to differentiate biological from abiotic processes.
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| Supplement |
Notes for the instructor, supplementary bibliography, and the student handout containing background information and instructions for carrying out the experiment, including a questionnaire, are available.
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 Contents |
JCE2002p1105W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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| Download |
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| More Information |
Citation |
Cortón, Eduardo; Haim, Liliana; Kocmur, Santiago; Visbeek, Guillermo J.; Galagovsky, Lydia. J. Chem. Educ. 2002 79 1105.
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Keywords |
Acid-Base Chemistry; Astrochemistry; Biochemistry; Bioorganic Chemistry; Gases; History / Philosophy; Teaching / Learning Aids
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
August 12, 2002
March 16, 2005
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