The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth

Details The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth

Oct 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005ijasb...4..165c&link_type=abstract

International Journal of Astrobiology, vol. 4, Issue 3, p.165-173

Biology

8

Alternative Life Forms, Origin Of Life, Shadow Microbes.

Scientific paper

Despite its amazing morphological diversity, life as we know it on Earth today is remarkably similar in its basic molecular architecture and biochemistry. The assumption that all life on Earth today shares these molecular and biochemical features is part of the paradigm of modern biology. This paper examines the possibility that this assumption is false, more specifically, that the contemporary Earth contains as yet unrecognized alternative forms of microbial life. The possibility that more than one form of life arose on Earth is consistent with our current understanding of conditions on the early Earth and the biochemical and molecular possibilities for life. Arguments that microbial descendents of an alternative origin of life could not co-exist with familiar life are belied by what we know of the complexity and diversity of microbial communities. Furthermore, the tools that are currently used to explore the microbial world microscopy (with the aid of techniques such as DAPI staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization), cultivation and PCR amplification of rRNA genes could not detect such organisms if they existed. Thus, the fact that we have not discovered any alternative life forms cannot be taken as evidence that they do not exist.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1365340