Could there be non carbon based life?
Well how far studied and the scientific facts shows that life without carbon is not likely to be possible.
Why life is possible due to carbon is here:
- Carbon is most abundant and perfect atom to be fitted in any biomolecule.
- Although there are lot of similar atoms which have same valencies like Silicon, lead, Germanium, and Tin but they have larger electron cloud size than carbon due to which they do not fit in aby biomolecule perfectly as carbon exist. Even many times in a same molecule.
- Carbon forms toxic as well as non-toxic components in a cellular system. Since they are all madeup of Carbon so they are easily transformed but when it comes for silicon, they form toxic elements.
There are some possibilities that life without carbon is possible:
- Perfect replacement of carbon which act like it and have same physio and chemical properties like carbon.
- If not then any atom have four valencies but an replacement of oxygen atom because the atoms known either degrade or form toxic components when comes in contact with oxygen, so an alternative atom must be present if you are expecting Silicon, Germanium, or Lead.
- Second most thing it should be abundant biologically and form approx 90% or more than of biomass.
How far I know or the current research is depicting :- that Carbon and its derivatives are found in other planets. Methane is also found on some places which is a good indicator of life.
If any of the molecule satisfies these points then yes It is possible
All I want to conclude is that the life evolved on earth 4.5 billion years ago (records says) and through this long time only capable and molecules have bioactivity are able to form a living system. Those who are not are still harmfull for us either in small amounts or in any other way..
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