Chemistry, life, and the search for aliens

Steven A. Benner

doi:10.1117/12.866981

7 September 2010 Chemistry, life, and the search for aliens

Steven A. Benner

Proceedings Volume 7819, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII; 781910 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.866981
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

While "life" may universally be a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution, alien life may be quite different in its chemistry from the terran life that we know here on Earth. In this case, it will be difficult to recognize, especially if it has not advanced beyond the single cell life forms that have dominated much of the terran biosphere. This review summarizes what we might infer from general physical and chemical law about how such "weird" life might be structured, what solvents other than water it might inhabit, what genetic molecules it might contain, and what metabolism it might exploit.

Citation Download Citation

Steven A. Benner "Chemistry, life, and the search for aliens", Proc. SPIE 7819, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII, 781910 (7 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.866981

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available