Which country planned to send mini ecosystems containing potato seeds and silkworm eggs to the Moon as part of a lunar mission experiment?

Introduction / Context:
Space agencies sometimes carry biological experiments on lunar or planetary missions to understand how living systems behave in low gravity and closed environments. A well known example from recent years is the plan to send a sealed mini ecosystem with potato seeds and silkworm eggs to the Moon. This question checks whether you remember which country was behind this innovative experiment, which combines space exploration with life sciences and agriculture research.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The experiment involves mini ecosystems sent to the Moon. - The mini ecosystems contain potato seeds and silkworm eggs. - The options are India, Russia, USA, and China.

Concept / Approach:
This question lies at the intersection of current affairs and general science. The correct approach is to recall lunar missions that included biological payloads. China, through its Chang'e missions, announced plans to carry a small biosphere with plant seeds and insect eggs to study closed ecosystem behavior in the lunar environment. This distinct experiment was not part of Indian, Russian, or American lunar missions in the same form. Remembering the link between Chang'e missions and such experiments points you to the right country.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Chinese lunar missions like Chang'e 4 involved experiments with plant growth and small life forms on the Moon. Step 2: Remember that the specific combination mentioned in the question was potato seeds and silkworm eggs inside a sealed container. Step 3: Compare this with India, Russia, and USA, which have launched many lunar missions but did not prominently feature this particular combination in public reports. Step 4: Recognize that the media often highlighted this as a Chinese plan to build a mini lunar biosphere. Step 5: Therefore, choose China as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this from reports on China's lunar exploration program, especially articles describing the payload of Chang'e missions. These reports explain that a small container with plant seeds and silkworm eggs was planned so that scientists could study oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange and plant growth patterns in lunar conditions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- India: India has carried instruments for chemical analysis and imaging on lunar missions, but not this specific potato and silkworm mini ecosystem. - Russia: Russia has a long space history but was not linked to this particular lunar biosphere experiment in recent years. - USA: American missions focused mainly on technology tests, sample return, and orbital studies rather than this type of sealed ecosystem with potato seeds and silkworm eggs.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is assuming that any advanced space experiment must be from the USA or Russia, simply because of familiarity with their space programs. Another error is to guess India due to national pride. The key is to remember that China has an active and innovative lunar program that often features in news exactly for such experiments.

Final Answer:
The country that planned to send mini ecosystems with potato seeds and silkworm eggs to the Moon was China.