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| silicon dioxide molecules forming a twinned crystals. Credits: www.123rf.com |
few days ago I had the opportunity to exchange views with Jorge Laborda , Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Castilla-La Mancha. The issue that we talked was none other than the possibility of the existence of life forms based on silicon chemistry, in particular ended up talking about the problems that exist to find it. During this conversation, arguments Jorge gave me a great scientific weight to forge an objective opinion about the options in silicon at the biological level.
To begin, let's look at what we face: What is silicon? It is a chemical element in the periodic table situated just below the carbon which gives a special character because it has 4 electrons in its valence shell , which gives an intermediate character between the uptake and transfer of electrons from other atoms to complete its outer shell.
abiotic level silicon can be found in our daily lives. The so-called "crystal"-because in reality it is a glass-forming vessels we have in the kitchen is made up primarily of silicon. But equally the transistors that form the integrated circuits of the device from which you are reading these lines are also formed by silicon wafers. As a significant fact Silicon dioxide or silica is part of 25% of the crust of our planet.
Now for the biological aspect. But first things we know: carbon. What's so special? Jorge Laborda, in Chapter 2 of his book A Luna, a civilization says that "it is true that carbon is the central element of life, and that while perhaps life could arise even in the absence of nitrogen, no could ever arise in the absence of carbon. " One advantage is that carbon is abundant in the universe, but that is very easy to join with other carbon atoms, allowing form long chains, while the ease of interacting with other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen, among others.
But keep in mind another aspect: the water, fulfilling its role of absorbing disorder and coupled with the versatility provided by the carbon molecular, the molecules formed by him with other light elements can be sorted and organized in the liquid element .
But keep in mind another aspect: the water, fulfilling its role of absorbing disorder and coupled with the versatility provided by the carbon molecular, the molecules formed by him with other light elements can be sorted and organized in the liquid element .
And you might think that with silicon could spend the same. But what actually happens? Jorge Laborda is clear: "on paper, it would be possible, perhaps, but in the reality of our universe is impossible." It supports on the argument that "silicon binds oxygen with greater force than it binds to other elements" and so it's normal to find it in the form of silica or silicates.
The link between silicon and oxygen is so strong and so stable silica "prefer to join silicon to oxygen rather than anything else, including himself," notes Laborda based on proven scientific evidence. This strong link that makes it difficult to form long chains silicon and in the case of shaped, silicon and oxygen alone, without other elements.
The link between silicon and oxygen is so strong and so stable silica "prefer to join silicon to oxygen rather than anything else, including himself," notes Laborda based on proven scientific evidence. This strong link that makes it difficult to form long chains silicon and in the case of shaped, silicon and oxygen alone, without other elements.
The only possibility is to find an environment provides in which no oxygen, but there is a problem is that, according to determinations made abundance of chemical elements, Jorge brings out in his book that "for every silicon atom has nine oxygen atoms in the universe."
back into the water, "there is no other liquid that is capable of doing the same thing, referring to the management and organization, with silicon-based molecules" when he meets other lighter elements, hence " would still have the problem that they were in a medium that would allow them to organize themselves spontaneously "makes us see Laborda, to conclude by saying that" without that organization, life is probably impossible. "
back into the water, "there is no other liquid that is capable of doing the same thing, referring to the management and organization, with silicon-based molecules" when he meets other lighter elements, hence " would still have the problem that they were in a medium that would allow them to organize themselves spontaneously "makes us see Laborda, to conclude by saying that" without that organization, life is probably impossible. "
I recommend the book A Luna, a civilization and follow his blog" Quilo science. "If you want to know more about it, I also suggest listen to this podcast where Jorge speaks at length about the topic that concerns us today.
Today we only know the carbon-based life and is poised to remain so long as the another candidate in which it was thought, silicon, has many difficulties. But for now we settle for finding life on any of the exoplanets that we are aware interest or bodies in our Solar System. Having found it, we'll see what new avenues and possibilities offered to us to continue this great adventure.
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