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The purpose of life is to hydrogenate carbon dioxide (according to Michael Russell and Sean Carroll).
Life would not have been possible in the early Earth because there was too much CO2. Great for trees but not for animals.
The purpose of life...
Would there be life without hydrocarbons?
Seems highly unlikely. No other polymers have the combined capacity for variability, employing all the other elements we use, or the reactivity and relative stability provided by those hydrocarbon polymers. It is probable the only variability to life is stereochemical.Quote:
Originally Posted by ox
Life as we know it is so firmly embedded in hydrocarbons, it is difficult to seriously consider any other construction.
One would need an unknown unique chemistry of different elements to change our perception of how biology meets chemistry, or so it would seem. It is difficult to imagine life arising from anything but polymeric forms of "biochemicals". This seemingly polymeric requirement is the biggest constraint, and only hydrocarbons appear feasible.
But who knows for sure? There are those considering alternate chemistries!*
Hypothetical types of biochemistry
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoth...f_biochemistry
So how did DNA get structured?
Physics produces chemistry produces biology.
Is the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics the only law of physics that can influence both chemistry and biology?
As in the idea by Peter Atkins in his book On Being that the DNA molecule was spun out by chance in the chaos of energy dispersal.
Anybody who can figure this out deserves several Nobel prizes, and then some!Quote:
Originally Posted by ox
Not sure we even know, or ever will, what all the laws of physics are.Quote:
Originally Posted by ox