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It could be another self-replicating entity. It doesn't have to be DNA. But self-replication is the basis for evolution of life. Sure, it could be made from

It could be another self-replicating entity. It doesn't have to be DNA. But self-replication is the __basis__ for evolution of life. Sure, it could be made from other elements...but why wonder if other elements can create self-replicating entities when you can measure the amount of Carbon in the galaxy...right from here on earth! Carbon is more abundant than say Strontium. Carbon is created inside a star, Strontium is created through Supernovae explosions. Also, Carbon can form 4 covalent bonds more easily than Si (same family). Si can form 4 covalent bonds but they're weaker than Carbon due to the distance from the nucleus. I am sure someone more familiar with Chemistry can chime in, but Carbon is a special element in the Universe.

dogma1138 8y ago
Indeed carbon is special in this regards it's also produced in star fusion and space is filled with organic material because carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are abundant. Also the main reason why silicon is worse is because of catenation, which carbon is much better suited for: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenation
- fermienrico 8y ago
  Thanks for adding to the discussion. I learned something new.
  - dogma1138 8y ago
    You were right it's because of the covalent bonds formed, however the biggest difference seems to be not in how these are formed with other elements but how carbon is essentially optimal at bonding with itself creating huge chains. This property is why there are so many different and interesting forms of elemental carbon. These chains are the scaffolding for all biochemistry both because they are very stable and also because they have very interesting properties. Chains can be either open or closed depending on various factors such as charge, temperature and other forces that play on molecular levels allows you to play with that geometry. Having strong chain bonds not only builds stable chains but it also build chains that can change their state while remaining intact and biochemistry heavily relies on the ability to change the geometry of complex molecules without breaking them apart.

It could be another self-replicating entity. It doesn't have to be DNA. But self-replication is the __basis__ for evolution of life. Sure, it could be made from

dogma1138 8y ago

Indeed carbon is special in this regards it's also produced in star fusion and space is filled with organic material because carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are abundant. Also the main reason why silicon is worse is because of catenation, which carbon is much better suited for: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenation

fermienrico 8y ago
Thanks for adding to the discussion. I learned something new.
- dogma1138 8y ago
  You were right it's because of the covalent bonds formed, however the biggest difference seems to be not in how these are formed with other elements but how carbon is essentially optimal at bonding with itself creating huge chains. This property is why there are so many different and interesting forms of elemental carbon. These chains are the scaffolding for all biochemistry both because they are very stable and also because they have very interesting properties. Chains can be either open or closed depending on various factors such as charge, temperature and other forces that play on molecular levels allows you to play with that geometry. Having strong chain bonds not only builds stable chains but it also build chains that can change their state while remaining intact and biochemistry heavily relies on the ability to change the geometry of complex molecules without breaking them apart.