The element carbon is the basis for all life.?

Question

The element carbon is the basis for all life. If you are a science
fiction writer, what element, other than carbon, would you choose to
be the basis for the life forms in your story? Why?

Answer 1

I would choose silicon. There is not only the obvious connection to the world of computers and all the possible side stories there...are they really life or are they some type of cyborg??

Secondly, being in the same chemical family as carbon (on the same column of the periodic table...I'm a chemistry teacher), it is not a far reach to make the story and the "science" of your story sound plausible. Science fiction is always better when it has an air of believability.

Good luck with your story.

Answer 2

The element carbon is the basis of all life on Earth. If you were a science fiction writer there are dozens of relatively stable elements you could use as a basis of life on other planets which have different atmospherical makeups. Anyhing is hypotheteically possible, just make sure you're consistent.

Answer 3

Silicon is a popular choice, because of it's similarities to carbon, I would hazard to say that everything in that column of the periodic table has been used in sci-fi at some point.
I think hydrogen would be good. It's the most plentiful element in the universe, and it reacts easily and in a myriad of ways, so the idea is at least scientifically sound at a glance.

Answer 4

well, as most science programs have already mentioned, silicon is the next element that bonds with just about the same number of other elements as carbon does. So logically silicon lifeforms, or living rock crystal people are what your looking for.

Answer 5

Silicon, because we have already show the existence of amino-acid like chains made from silicon.

Answer 6

Helium! Give them high pitched voices! That would be cool!

Answer 7

Maybe silicon.