Which term describes rocks or dust transferring microorganisms between solar systems?

Which term describes rocks or dust transferring microorganisms between solar systems?

• A. Lithopanspermia
• B. Lithospasnpermia
• C. Panspermia
• D. Endolithism

Answer: (B)

Rocks carrying microorganisms across space is described by lithopanspermia. The prefix litho- means rock, and panspermia refers to life being dispersed through space. This term specifically names the mechanism of transport via rocks or dust, which matches the idea of organisms hitchhiking on solid material between star systems. Panspermia is the broader concept of life spreading through space, but lithopanspermia focuses on rocks as the carriers. Endolithism describes organisms that live inside rocks, not the transfer process itself. The term with a spelling error isn’t a standard scientific term. So the best term is lithopanspermia.

Rocks carrying microorganisms across space is described by lithopanspermia. The prefix litho- means rock, and panspermia refers to life being dispersed through space. This term specifically names the mechanism of transport via rocks or dust, which matches the idea of organisms hitchhiking on solid material between star systems.

Panspermia is the broader concept of life spreading through space, but lithopanspermia focuses on rocks as the carriers. Endolithism describes organisms that live inside rocks, not the transfer process itself. The term with a spelling error isn’t a standard scientific term.

So the best term is lithopanspermia.