Silicone-based life

[kaesler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Roger L. Kaesler)]

Dear colleagues,

The science fiction about silicon-based life is fascinating.  The best
thing about it in my opinion is not that it tells us anything about life
but that it is a great way to introduce beginning geology students to the
mineralogy of silicate rocks.  The silicon-oxygen bond is very strong, much
stronger than the carbon-hydrogen bond.  It takes far too much energy to
rearrange the atoms in a silicate mineral for it to form the basis of a
life form.  That is why the components of silicon-based life as we know it,
that is, the suite of silicate minerals, are igneous in origin.  But it is
a great teaching tool, and I strongly recommend it.

Best wishes,

Roger

--

Roger L. Kaesler
Paleontological Institute
The University of Kansas
121 Lindley Hall
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2911
(913) 864-3338 = telephone
(913) 864-5276 = FAX

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