Nitrogen in Extraterrestrial Environments: Clues to the Possible Presence of Life

摘要: Nitrogen is a critical element for living organisms on Earth. While atmospheric N2 plentiful, find it difficult to metabolize, requiring chemical modifications that are rare or absent in abiotic chemistry. Living reduce NH3 with elaborate, energy-intensive, biochemical processing create nitrogen-bearing carbon compounds essential life. Astrobiologists have long discussed what role nitrogen could play shaping life other planets. Work Martian meteorites has provided new insights into cycling Mars. Research ties investigations by NASA's Mars Science Laboratory providing on-the-ground information piece together more cohesive picture of the importance establishing habitable environment.