Alternate Biochemical Basis for Life?

StillHere

hey you guysss.....guess what?

scientists have finally admitted that their might be an alternate biochemical basis in which life "unlike we know it" could possibly, maybe, exist...

DUH....haven't we (YOU and I) been saying that like FOREVER?

geezuzzz....i don't get how science can be so small minded at times :? :roll:

http://news.discovery.com/space/titan-a ... ow-it.html

BinauralJam

Deep–Sea Hydrothermal Vents
Recently discovered in 1977, hydrothermal vents, also known as "black smokers", revolutionized our understanding of life. Until the discovery of these vent systems, all known ecosystems on Earth had photosynthetic organisms at the base of their food chain.

However, this particular type of ecosystem is dependent on chemosynthetic bacteria that generate energy from hydrogen sulfide, the chemical responsible for the smell of rotten eggs.

These chemotrophic (chemical eating) bacteria exist in symbiotic relationships with other members of the ecosystem including mussels and 8 foot long tubeworms. These tubeworms have no mouth, gut or anus. Instead, they have a giant organ in the center of their body called a "trophosome". It is filled with symbiotic bacteria that take on all the digestive and excretory functions of the worms.



Photo Courtesy of NOAA

Pompeii worms, like the one pictured below, are also found close to these vents. These worms are the most heat-tolerant complex life form on Earth. They are able to thrive in 176°F water, whereas the Sahara Desert ant, the runner-up, can only survive in temperatures up to 136°F.

The bluish "hair" covering Pompeii worms is actually made up of bacteria that produce heat resistant enzymes. Researchers believe these enzymes could have a variety of applications, including pharmaceutical production and food processing.

In addition to supporting a variety of worms, hydrothermal vents also support crabs, shrimp and fish.

Back to Unique Environment Chart



Methane Seeps
Methane seep ecosystems are based on methane hydrate, a crystallized form of methane. Although it looks remarkably similar to ice, if you hold a match to methane hydrate, it will burn—thus its nickname "fire ice". It has a much higher melting point than water and it is a poor conductor of heat. Even though it is frozen, it doesn't feel cold when you touch it.



Ice Worm Photo courtesy of NASA JPL

In 1997, ice worms were discovered living on the surface of methane hydrate, their principle source of food being methane eating bacteria.

Other organisms have also been found subsisting on the methane including mussels, clams and 100 year old tubeworms. The mussels and clams have developed a symbiotic relationship with methane eating bacteria. Without these bacteria to metabolize energy for them, the mussels and clams would not survive.


with the discovery of methane based life forms, it's almost a bygone conclusion, its not a question of if anymore but of when we discover life in our solar system. that will be a most celebrated day for many people, not all, but many.

FiveB247x

I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't think scientific people are small minded, in fact they are more open than most because they don't have certainly without results and proof... cough cough, something the religious side lacks...

StillHere wrote:

hey you guysss.....guess what?

scientists have finally admitted that their might be an alternate biochemical basis in which life "unlike we know it" could possibly, maybe, exist...

DUH....haven't we (YOU and I) been saying that like FOREVER?

geezuzzz....i don't get how science can be so small minded at times :? :roll:

http://news.discovery.com/space/titan-a ... ow-it.html

OutOfBreath

Well, they "admitted" this some time ago now. And it is part of the package with science that until you have proof of something or a functioning theory on why something should be, it won't be accepted.

So this is not "admitting" anything, it's science working it's regular course. the find of these vents and analyzing the life there has proven that life can work in other ways.

So this means that the possibility of life on the moon Europa is suddenly much more likely. Maybe Arthur C Clarke will be right about this one.

Peace
Dan

StillHere

everything i ever hear regarding the possibility of life "as we know it" which is always tagged onto any statement made in the scientific world regarding the possibility of life alternatives, is based upon carbon and O2....

i know that they realized that life is possible in the deep sea methane vents etc., but there are the basic "building blocks of life" that science has relied on, available even at those sites

of course, there is the HUGE possibility that i may have missed something along the way, but i have never heard an acknowledgment of a completely alternative non-carbon, non-O2/CO2 based life.

Glad that you guys are here to enlighten me on the subject.
Thanks for your input