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.

The origin of life can be seen as the natural process in which the origin of living things happen through non-living matter or smaller organic compound.

The null hypothesis is:

(B) The temperatures and pressures found in hydrothermal vents matches the conditions described in currently accepted origins of life hypotheses.

Thus, the option (B) The temperatures and pressures found in hydrothermal vents matches the conditions described in currently accepted origins of life hypotheses is the best null hypothesis for Dr. hazen to begin his research.

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

Explanation:

We are told that Dr. Hazen wants to develop a hypothesis that explains

the origin of life on Earth.

Now, he focused on hydrothermal vents. That 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.

This means the null hypothesis will be temperatures and pressures found in this initial condition he described while any other different from it will be the alternative hypothesis.

Looking at all the given options and comparing with the initial hypothesis conditions in the question, the correct answer is option B.