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Bacteria Brrr!: Life in Ice

In Bacteria Brrr!: Life in Ice, Professor Brian Cox explores an ice cave and finds microorganisms that are living in the ice. He discusses what this means for life on other planets and moons with scientist Richard Hoover. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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The Planets
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3:40
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Lesson Express

Q: How have scientists developed their understanding of what organisms can live in ice?
A: We used to think that organisms in ice were in a state of suspended animation, but now we know that organisms can live and be active in ice.

Q: What organisms live in ice?
A: Single cell, simple organisms.

Q: What are the implications of finding life in ice?
A: There may be life on icy planets or moons, like Jupiter’s moon, Europa, or one of Saturn’s moons.

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