Very strange life

[speach]

There as been found a life form (bacteria) here on earth that "eats" electricity. https://www.quantamagazine.org/20160621-electron-eating-microbes-found-in-odd-places/ So why not in the in the vastness of the universe should life be only carbon based?

[billdan]

Why do they say we are carbon based, when our bodies are 90% water?

EDIT: Just checked we are 65% oxygen, 18½% carbon and 9½% Hydrogen, 3% Nitrogen. The other elements are much lower.

[Atmos]

Our bodies are largely water because it is such a good solvent. We have a lot of oxygen because it is very reactive and is a large chunk of both organic and inorganic matter on the Earth.

The reason we are carbon based as opposed to another element is that carbon is about to make a four bond connection. Any other elements in the same column as carbon also do this but carbon being smaller (less protons and electrons) is more stable. Carbon is what holds us together in some respects, oxygen becomes a part of the chain. Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen make up virtually every aspect of our bodies.

Out of curiosity Bill, was that the human body by number of atoms or by mass?

[ZeroID]

if you look at the periodic table Silicon is the next element in the stable group, It has been conjectured that a life form based on silicon could be possible in a hotter environment.

[billdan]

Colin, those figures were from Wikipedia and is based on mass.

[Atmos]

Well doing some 10 second calculations would suggest that if oxygen is 65% body mass and that water makes up 90% of our body, only 5% of our mass is taken by oxygen that isn't contained in water.

[xelasnave]

Some human life forms contain a high percentage of silicon and they look hotter than without it. :D
Alex

[sn1987a]

I've met a lot of silicun lifeforms I might even be one myself! :P

[speach]

Our make up is not really the point of the article, it was that life forms can live on, to us, strange types of "food".

[xelasnave]

Yes and such discoveries hint at the fact that we dont know everything just yet.
I recall reading something I regarded as nonsence about life forms in the Sun. Well it seems life is being found where there is energy so such a speculation would fit with that aspect.
I wish more resourses were devoted to the search for life within our solar system.
The obsession with gravity waves and proving GR could wait.
We have the ability to look and what better science could we do.
What may we discover and how may those discoveries help us understand ourselves better.
Frankly I do get the excitment of gravity astronomy when the hunt for life forms is calling.
Alex

[Bart]

I like your science, Alex!:eyepop::eyepop:

[xelasnave]

Its all about observation and data collection.
Alex:)