Life and Intelligence in the Universe

Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
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  1. Molecule that carries genetic information in most organisms
    1. Cytosine
    2. RNA
    3. ATP
    4. DNA
  2. This science-fiction film explored the notion that aliens might be so advanced as to be incomprehensible, and also pioneered the use of ultra-realistic special effects:
    1. Star Wars
    2. War of the Worlds
    3. 2001: A Space Odyssey
    4. Star Trek
    5. Plan 9 From Outer Space
  3. A radical departure from previous science fiction in that it depicted enlightened humans interacting as equals with alien races:
    1. Star Wars
    2. War of the Worlds
    3. 2001: A Space Odyssey
    4. Star Trek
    5. Plan 9 From Outer Space
  4. A "Close Encounter of the First Kind" involves what?
    1. Direct contact with aliens
    2. Sighting only
    3. Finding physical evidence
    4. Attack by aliens
    5. Communications received from space
  5. A "Close Encounter of the Second Kind" involves what?
    1. Direct contact with aliens
    2. Sighting only
    3. Finding physical evidence
    4. Attack by aliens
    5. Communications received from space
  6. A "Close Encounter of the Third Kind" involves what?
    1. Direct contact with aliens
    2. Sighting only
    3. Finding physical evidence
    4. Attack by aliens
    5. Communications received from space
  7. The Drake Equation estimates what?
    1. Number of stars in the galaxy
    2. Fraction of planets with life
    3. Likelihood of planets around other stars
    4. Number of possible extraterrestrial civilizations
  8. Which are terms in the Drake Equation (more than one correct answer)?
    1. Number of stars in the Galaxy
    2. Number of planets per star system suitable for life
    3. Average lifetime of stars
    4. Fraction of stars with planets
    5. Fraction of planets with Earthlike gravity
    6. Fraction of planets where life evolves
    7. Fraction of planets where intelligence evolves
    8. Fraction of planets smaller than Jupiter
    9. Fraction of planets with atmospheres
  9. Which term in the Drake Equation can we estimate with the most confidence?
    1. Number of stars in the Galaxy
    2. Number of planets per star system suitable for life
    3. Fraction of stars with planets
    4. Fraction of planets where life evolves
    5. Fraction of planets where intelligence evolves
  10. Which is the first term in the Drake Equation we can't estimate with at least some confidence?
    1. Number of stars in the Galaxy
    2. Number of planets per star system suitable for life
    3. Fraction of stars with planets
    4. Fraction of planets where life evolves
    5. Fraction of planets where intelligence evolves
  11. Why do we think Jupiter is important for life on earth?
    1. It absorbs cosmic rays
    2. It was the source of early organic chemicals
    3. It stabilizes the earth's axis tilt
    4. It helps stabilize the orbits of all the other planets
  12. Why do we think the Moon is important for life on earth?
    1. It absorbs cosmic rays
    2. It was the source of early organic chemicals
    3. It stabilizes the earth's axis tilt
    4. It helps stabilize the orbits of all the other planets
  13. What is most likely true about the center of the galaxy?
    1. Life is no more or less likely there than anywhere else
    2. It is the most likely place for advanced civilizations
    3. It is probably too violent and unstable for advanced life to evolve
  14. The outer rim of the galaxy:
    1. Is too violent and unstable for life
    2. Is the most likely place for life
    3. May lack sufficient heavy elements to create large planets
    4. Has so much material planets will be too massive for life
  15. Planetary habitable zones are defined by:
    1. The liquid water zone around a star
    2. The region where planets can have satellites
    3. The region where planets are largest
    4. The region where it is warm enough to have oxygen atmospheres

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Created 05 December 2008, Last Update 14 Dec 2009

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