[Mistletoe]

But none of it is intelligent. Anaerobic processes are drastically slower and less efficient than aerobic ones. I wonder if a functioning brain could even work anaerobically. 20% of our oxygen consumption is done by our brain.

[TaylorAlexander]

If we find any life at all on Europa, intelligent or otherwise, it proves that earth is not the only planet with life. It’s an obvious conclusion but if we find alien life even in our own solar system that says something about the prevalence of alien life.

[tmountain]

I never thought the expectation was intelligent life. Even the discovery of a single celled organism would be a truly remarkable moment for humanity.

[xeromal]

Agreed. I'd love to find any living thing.

[AlecSchueler]

Unless we later discover it traveled there after an impact event on Earth.

[TaylorAlexander]

I suspect that is extremely unlikely due to the amount of energy required to get from earth to so far out from the sun, but maybe.

EDIT: Here is a study of the probability of such a thing. It is indeed very low. https://www.space.com/alien-life-europa-enceladus-second-gen...

[raverbashing]

Don't worry about "intelligent", I don't think there's anaerobic multicellular life on Earth

(yes even plants use oxygen - they just happen to produce it as well)

[jjk166]

There are some multicellular anaerobic organisms, such as a few species of Lorificfera. It is worth noting that they all appear to be descended from aerobic ancestors that lost their ability to process oxygen. Multicellularity is very difficult to evolve, and has only happened a few times.