Question

1 mark for review dr. robert hazen has worked to develop a hypothesis that explains the origin of life on earth. his work has focused on hydrothermal vents, which are cracks in the ocean floor. water heated by molten rock beneath the crust escapes from these vents at very high temperatures, producing hot, high - pressure environments at the vents on the ocean floor. in order to provide evidence that these vents may be areas where life originated, which of the following states a null hypothesis hazen might have used to begin his research? a organic molecules were transported to the hydrothermal vents via a meteorite, thereby seeding them with precursors for more complex molecules. b the temperatures and pressures found in hydrothermal vents resemble conditions described in currently accepted origins of life hypotheses. c organic waste sinking to the ocean floor would have used the unique hot water environment as an energy source to begin manufacturing food. d chemosynthetic organisms can best develop in the hydrothermal environment, manufacturing nutrients for other living things to feed on.

Explanation:

A null hypothesis is a statement of no effect or no relationship. It is the opposite of the research hypothesis. In this case, the research is about whether hydro - thermal vents are areas where life originated. Options A, C, and D suggest positive relationships or effects related to life origin at hydro - thermal vents. Option B just states a similarity between the conditions at hydro - thermal vents and those in currently accepted life - origin hypotheses without directly suggesting a causal link for life origin at these vents, which is more in line with a null hypothesis.

Answer:

B. The temperatures and pressures found in hydrothermal vents resemble conditions described in currently accepted origins of life hypotheses.