Could a silicon-based life form actually exist? Why or Why not?
Someone please help me out this question is due by Wednesday at 10am!! Thanks
2007-02-05 17:45:20 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It's possible. Silicon has the same valence electron configuration as carbon, making its chemical behavior very similar.
2007-02-05 17:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It IS possible - just not terribly likely.
Here is a great article from the Scientific American that says, no - http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=0004212F-7B73-1C72-9EB7809EC588F2D7 and explains why not. But I'm a big believer in anything is possible.
The big problem is that when carbon oxidizes, it forms a gas - CO2 - easy to get rid of. When silicon oxidizes, it forms SiO2 - a solid.
Here's one in Wikipedia talking about alternative biochemistry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_biochemistry
And here's one on some possibilities:
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/siliconlife.html
Enjoy!
Orion
2007-02-06 01:58:04 · answer #2 · answered by Orion 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I disagree Silicon may be more stable than Carbon It may not be as suitable to lifeform as we understand it as Carbon that as maybe who knows
2007-02-06 01:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it can't because may be silicon less stable than carbon.
2007-02-06 01:51:07 · answer #4 · answered by li mei 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋