We are all Carbon based lifeforms, what is to say that there cant be lifeforms composed of other elements?

24 September

Posted by jack

We are all Carbon based lifeforms, what is to say that there cant be lifeforms composed of other elements?

It has been hypothesized that silicone-based life forms could exist elsewhere in the universe because it has similar properties to carbon in how it can react with other elements. It seems unlikely to us but who knows. Life is comprised of carbon because it has the chemical property of having 4 covalent bonds which can and do form long complex chains in various configurations. It has been postulated that silicon (not silicone) based life can form since silicon also has 4 covalent bonds and can form long chains like carbon. This is pure speculation however.

There is a very high possibility of the existence of lifeforms that depend on other elements besides Carbon. Those elements most probably would be in the same column on the Periodic Table as Carbon. For example, Silicon (Si), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn), etc.
The reason why it could most probably be from this same column is because of their ability to form chemical bonds.

Although it is more abundant on Earth than Carbon, Silicon could not make it as the basis for life on this planet, but most probably there is another planet out there that does support it and does have a whole world of different species based on Silicon.....waiting to be discovered.

It's not impossible, and scientists have considered the question. We haven't discovered any, however, so at least on earth we assume they don't exist.

Pretty simple. There is no proof that life exist in any other form. The only proof known to Man is that life exist on Earth and no where else.

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