Nucleobase Concentrations from Murchison Meteorite and Soil Samples in Parts per Billion

Nucleobase Murchison meteorite sample 1 Murchison meteorite sample 2 Murchison soil sample

Isoguanine 0.5 0.04 not detected

Purine 0.2 0.02 not detected

Xanthine 39 3 1

Adenine 15 1 40

Hypoxanthine 24 1 2

Employing high-performance liquid chromatography—a process that uses pressurized water to separate material into its component molecules—astrochemist Yashiro Oba and colleagues analyzed two samples of the Murchison meteorite that landed in Australia as well as soil from the landing zone of the meteorite to determine the concentrations of various organic molecules. By comparing the relative concentrations of types of molecules known as nucleobases in the Murchison meteorite with those in the soil, the team concluded that there is evidence that the nucleobases in the Murchison meteorite formed in space and are not the result of contamination on Earth.

Which choice best describes data from the table that supports the team’s conclusion?

Question

Nucleobase Concentrations from Murchison Meteorite and Soil Samples in Parts per Billion
Nucleobase	Murchison meteorite sample 1	Murchison meteorite sample 2	Murchison soil sample
Isoguanine	0.5	0.04	not detected
Purine	0.2	0.02	not detected
Xanthine	39	3	1
Adenine	15	1	40
Hypoxanthine	24	1	2

Accepted Answer

lsoguanine and purine were detected in both meteorite samples but not in the soil sample.

Answer

Adenine and xanthine were detected in both of the meteorite samples and in the soil sample.

Answer

Hypoxanthine and purine were detected in both the Murchison meteorite sample 2 and in the soil sample.

Answer

lsoguanine and hypoxanthine were detected in the Murchison meteorite sample 1 but not in sample 2.