One of the key clues will be the presence or lack of complex organic compounds — molecules featuring carbon that are both ingredients for life and potential by - products of it. (scientificamerican.com)
Ultimately, that methane is derived from bigger and more complex organic compounds in the buried sediment. (discovermagazine.com)
These molecules can interact to produce complex organic compounds, which could generate DNA, RNA and amino acids. (discovermagazine.com)