Aliens

[BiBottomBoy]

So, what do you think about NASA discovering a new arsenic rather than carbon based life form?

Anyone worried that there is a planet out there populated with arsenic dragons?

[RA1]

Not unless these dragons have to be viewed under a microscope. It is interesting that we have had the opinion that all life had a few elements in common but none of them were arsenic.

Best regards,

RA1

[BiBottomBoy]

The new arsenic based overlords are not pleased by your comment.

[RA1]

Sounds like poison pen writing to me.

Best regards,

RA1

[BiBottomBoy]

Skynet will be in touch soon.

[MsGuy]

So, what do you think about NASA discovering a new arsenic rather than carbon based life form?

Close but no cigar. The critter has the ability to substitute arsenic for phosphorus, rather like your own body can substitute strontium for calcium. That it can do this even in its DNA molecules is what has given the biology types conniption fits. DNA was thought to be a no go zone for substitutes.

Now a non carbon based life form would be truly alien. I recall there was some speculation several decades back that, under high temperatures and pressures, silicon could perform the role carbon does on Earth. Under those conditions fluorine fills in for oxygen, if I remember right. For the life of me, I can't fill in the blank for what was proposed to fulfill the function of H2O.

[Guest NeedSome]

Close but no cigar. The critter has the ability to substitute arsenic for phosphorus, rather like your own body can substitute strontium for calcium. That it can do this even in its DNA molecules is what has given the biology types conniption fits. DNA was thought to be a no go zone for substitutes.

Now a non carbon based life form would be truly alien. I recall there was some speculation several decades back that, under high temperatures and pressures, silicon could perform the role carbon does on Earth. Under those conditions fluorine fills in for oxygen, if I remember right. For the life of me, I can't fill in the blank for what was proposed to fulfill the function of H2O.

Ms Guy, you're pretty hot when you talk all smarty like that!

[JKane]

[MsGuy]

Ms Guy, you're pretty hot when you talk all smarty like that!

If I could somehow recoup all the hours I've squandered reading science fiction, I'd have a decade or so extra to chase cute male carbon based life forms.

Oh well, what's done is done. Talk about youth being wasted on the young! I didn't have a clue as to what was important.

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Edit: Just ran across this interesting article in the NYTimes on the discovery.

P.S. I liked your cartoon, JKane.

[BiBottomBoy]

I wonder if I could evolve into a vodka based life form?