If future exploration of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn discovered primitive life forms, it would ___________ the probability of finding an advanced civilization somewhere else in the Milky Way because ___________.
A) increase; it shows that life can exist in environments which are very different from those found on Earth
B) increase; it would show that life can survive travel through space after leaving the Earth
C) not affect; primitive life forms have nothing to do with the existence of advanced civilizations
D) decrease; it would show that primitive life forms outside the Earth cannot evolve into more complex species
E) decrease; it would show that primitive life forms are far more common than advanced ones

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of primitive life forms on moons of Jupiter and Saturn would increase the probability of finding an advanced civilization somewhere else in the Milky Way because it demonstrates that life can exist in environments that are very different from those found on Earth. This suggests that the possibility of life existing in other environments, including those that are hostile to our forms of life, is greater than previously believed, and therefore increases the probability of finding advanced civilizations.

If Future Exploration of the Moons of Jupiter and Saturn