Biological Astronaut
Imagine you are an exploratory astronaut looking for life throughout the universe. One day
you encounter a planet that has no carbon present on its surface. However, your
instruments register movement and a variety of other signs that make you think life exists
on the surface.
Part 1
Before taking a potentially dangerous trip to the surface, you must outline a theoretical
framework in which another element can serve as a backbone for macromolecules. (Hint:
look for an element on the periodic table that would act similarly to carbon.) Begin by
describing this new backbone, including how compounds and macromolecules would form.
Detail at least 2 chemical reactions forming macromolecules with this backbone. You may
wish add supporting diagrams (created or obtained). Be sure to include references as
appropriate.
Part 2
Your theoretical framework is deemed strong enough to justify a trip landside. Once there,
you are authorized to collect a simple “organism” for experimental use. Collect your
specimen(s) and then design a full experiment that will test at least two characteristics that
define biological life on Earth. Be sure to include all the relevant parts of an experiment and
describe how you would analyze and present the data, results and conclusions.
Take a look at this breakdown for hints on completing this assignment.
Breakdown
Part 1
Look for an element on the periodic table that would act similarly to carbon. Once you
have identified one, be sure to discuss the following in your justification.
Examine and discuss the outer electron shell and chemical bonding
characteristics of this new element.
Specifically describe how the outer shell would make this new element bond as
carbon does.
Then you should specifically discuss or draw two chemical reactions to form
macromolecules with this different element. For example, make a molecule like
glucose but without any carbons (replace carbon with your new element). Images
will work great here; they can be hand or computer drawn or you may be able to
find some on the internet.
Cite your references!
Part 2
Choose two of the defining characteristics of life and design an experiment to test each
in your alien lifeform. Be sure that your design includes all the following points.
Hypothesis
Dependent and independent variables
Control and experimental groups
Standardized variables
The specific type of data you would collect
How you would analyze and present these data
What pieces of data/evidence you would need to support your hypothesis.
Alternatively, what evidence would disprove your hypothesis?
Remember to keep things simple and observable. You will most likely have to design 2
different experiments to test the different characteristics.
Grading Criteria
Basic Requirements (the assignment will not be accepted or assessed unless the follow
criteria have been met):
Assignment has been proofread and does not contain any major spelling or
grammatical errors
Assignment includes appropriate references
Rubric: Biological Astronaut
Outcomes: Define biology and apply its principles. Identify the principles of
chemistry that are integral to biology.
Criteria Ratings Pts
Define atoms and Submission identified Submission No or wrong 5 pts
elements through the element that can identifies element chosen
identification of an replace carbon as a element that can or justification
element capable of backbone element. replace carbon as provided is
replacing carbon as the Illustrations and a backbone inaccurate/insuff
backbone atom in descriptions included element. icient for
macromolecules. that directly compare Description identifying
Illustrations are the two elements. directly replacement
encouraged here. 5.0 pts compares two backbone
elements. element.
4.0 pts 0.0 pts
Discuss the role Electrons are Electrons are Electrons are not 5 pts
electrons play in discussed in terms of discussed in discussed or are
enabling chosen element atomic bonding terms of atomic discussed
to replace carbon. behaviors. Direct bonding inaccurately in
comparison is behaviors. Direct terms of bonding
provided between comparison is behaviors.
carbon and new provided 0.0 pts
element. Illustrations between carbon
are included to show and new element.
similarities in 4.0 pts
bonding activity.
5.0 pts
Identify the components Two macromolecules Two Less than two 5 pts
of two macromolecule discussed with the macromolecules formation
formation reactions and new backbone discussed with reactions are
the macromolecules element; all the new included or all
formed. components in the backbone the components
Illustrations/diagrams formation of these element; all are not properly
are encouraged here. molecules are components in identified.
correctly identified. the formation of 0.0 pts
Illustrations are these molecules
included. There is a are correctly
direct comparison identified.
between new Illustrations may
macromolecules and be included.
traditional 4.0 pts
macromolecules.
5.0 pts
Identify at least 4 altered At least 4 functional At least 4 new Less than 4 5 pts
functional groups groups identified that functional groups functional
formed without the use would form without identified that groups
of carbon. carbon. Descriptions would form identified/discus
are detailed and well without carbon. sed or new
diagrammed Descriptions are functional
images/figures adequate or basic groups are
included to illustrate illustrations inaccurate.
these groups. included. 0.0 pts
5.0 pts 4.0 pts
Demonstrate the critical All components of an All components Experiment does 5 pts
thinking required to experiment are of an experiment not include all
conduct a scientific included and clearly are included. At the required
experiment by designing discussed. At least 3 least 3 components of
a full experiment to test standardized standardized an experiment or
if an organism is ‘alive’. variables included. variables components are
This experiment Hypothesis is clear included. inaccurately
contains all the required and testable. Hypothesis is identified/labele
components of an Potential clear and d. Hypothesis is
experiment. compounding factors testable. not testable.
or areas of 4.0 pts 0.0 pts
uncertainty
identified.
5.0 pts
The designed Experiment tests at Experiment tests Experiment does 5 pts
experiment tests at least least one at least one not test
one characteristic that characteristic of characteristic of characteristic of
defines biological life. biological life and the biological life. biological life.
way this is tested is 4.0 pts 0.0 pts
clearly explained.
5.0 pts
Possible results from the Potential results are Potential results Potential results 5 pts
experiment are discussed and the are discussed and are not discussed
discussed, and how it discussed results the discussed or the discussed
would be concluded this logically follow from results logically results do not
organism is living or not. outlined experiment. follow from logically follow
Organism is also Nuances of possible outlined from outlined
identified as analogous conclusions experiment. experiment.
to either prokaryotic or discussed. Organism Organism Organism not
eukaryotic organism. identified by cell type. identified by cell identified by cell
type. type.
5.0 pts
4.0 pts 0.0 pts
Total points: 35
Attribution
CC LICENSED CONTENT, ORIGINAL
Performance Assessment: Biological Astronaut. Authored by: Shelli Carter. Provided by:
Columbia Basin College. Located at: https://www.columbiabasin.edu/. License: CC
BY: Attribution
