Would silicon be as good an element upon which to base a life form as carbon? If not why not?

Question

Assuming life actually exists on other worlds could it be possible that some of these life forms are silicon-based rather than carbon-based? If you think not, please describe the attributes you consider lacking in silicon.

Well, yes. In a sense computers can already be considered a proto-life form. If and when we do succeed in making an android it's not likely to be carbon-based, is it?

Answer 1

non carbon-based life would be too different from life on earth. a DNA molecule constructed from a Si backbone instead of C would be too heavy and too large to function properly.

carbon is basically one of the more unique elements on the table, being small and reactive (as opposed to silicon or other group iv's). it can form bonds with itself or many other atoms. this property is responsible for literally millions of chemical compounds(most compounds on earth contain carbon) known to man.

carbon bonds with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, necessary for the life. silicon dioxide on the other hand, is completely different. SiO2 is sand.

you could compare carbon with say, water, which is also one of the weirdest compounds known to scientists. yet carbon and water are necessary for all life. i would say that the most interesting elements are the most necessary. silicon is just too normal...

Answer 2

Just to add a couple more things:

The variety of compounds that can be formed with carbon is greater than the variety of compounds silicon can form. Carbon forms lots of useful structures with double bonds, which silicon doesn't. The ability to form double bonds allows for much more interesting chemical properties and transformations of carbon compounds.

Because of its size, silicon double bonds are very weak relative to carbon double bonds. Silicon dioxide is a network solid, not a bunch of SiO2 molecules.

If you take organic chemistry you can learn about the amazing transformations you can make with carbon compounds. Silicon is just not as useful.

Answer 3

This has been debated because silicon is right under carbon in the periodic table. Life based on silicon would be vastly different than life based on carbon. Case in point, chimpanzees have 99% the same DNA as humans. But chimps are vastly different than we are.

Answer 4

Silicon is a semi-metal or metaloid while carbon is a non-metal. The additional metalic properties would make many of processes needed to sustain life, difficult or impossible. Could atlernative pathways be found? Possible...Is silicon based life possible? Maybe on a small scale, microscopic, with limited chemical properties needed to survive.

Answer 5

You might find the following information relevant:

1- This issue has been mulled over and debated (scientifically, at least) for many a decades now. Google it and you shall be informed.

2- Not a very practical solution on this planet - that is, of course, not considering the ever evolving computers and AI, and incorporating/integrating them into carbon-based life forms such as Humans. (See, for example, some of the reasons offered by our good friends above.)

3- I refuse to discuss the results of ongoing research. lol

Answer 6

If that is the case our computers would become alive.