Which organism was recovered alive from the debris of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger?

• A. Earthworm
• B. Mite
• C. Nematode roundworms
• D. Crayfish

Answer: (C)

Tiny, hardy organisms can endure conditions that would kill larger, more delicate animals. Nematodes are among the most robust multicellular creatures because of their simple body plan and protective cuticle. They can survive extreme desiccation by entering a reversible dormant state (anhydrobiosis), and they resist temperature fluctuations and some radiation better than many other organisms. In the Challenger debris, a nematode worm was found alive, showing that these microscopic roundworms can endure the harsh, chaotic environment of a space-disaster site far longer than larger terrestrial creatures. That resilience explains why the surviving organism recovered from the debris is a nematode roundworm.