The Mars researcher compared two soil layers: Layer X contains 200 microbial DNA fragments per gram, and Layer Y contains 30% less. How many fragments are in 5 grams of Layer Y?

Sat, 09 May 2026 03:31:46 +0000

Exploring Martian Soil: How Layer Y Falls Short in Microbial DNA Recent research into the Martian surface has revealed intriguing variations in soil composition that could reshape our understanding of potential microbial life on the Red Planet. Scientists studying dramatic contrasts between soil layers have identified a striking difference: Layer X, known for its richness, contains 200 microbial DNA fragments per gram, whereas Layer Y contains 30% fewer fragments. This disparity invites deeper insight into the preservation and distribution of potential biological signatures across Mars’ surface. ### Understanding Layer X and Layer Y’s DNA Content Layer X, a薄层 rich in preserved microbial DNA, stands out with 200 fragments per gram—making it a prime target for astrobiological analysis. In contrast, Layer Y shows a significant decline: a 30% reduction in microbial DNA fragments compared to Layer X. To quantify this loss:
- 30% of 200 = 0.3 × 200 = 60
- Thus, Layer Y contains 200 – 60 = 140 fragments per gram