Life on MARS - TODAY

[joey]

[latazyo]

elements do not make proteins, molecules that are of the amine group form proteins, multiple elements are required to make molecules

an element can not "morph" into a protein, that doesn't even make sense

[Shad0w]

latazyo, well put...

[RobV]

What we really need for this discussion is quantum/theoretical physicists and cosmologists.

If I remember from the various university courses dealing in cosmology over the past few years, the Universe is approximately 14 billion years old (14,000,000,000), And it is estimated to contain ~10 to the exponent 14 stars (ie.100,000,000,000,000). *But PLEASE don't quote me on these numbers*

There is a mathematical equation that ESTIMATES the possibility of

- another hospitable planet existing
- life actually existing on that planet (remember it does not have to be carbon based like us)
- that the life-forms are intelligent
- that those life forms can actually contact us

there's a few other variables, but the point is that the more things you consider, the less likely it is to happen....
for example, yes it is almost definite that other hospitable planets exist, it is also likely (but less likely) that on those planets life exists, it is also likely (even less likely that the life is at a stage in its evolution that it is "intelligent"), yada yada yada....

In the end it makes complete sense that there is other life, But it is extremely unlikely that they exist in any evolved enough form right now to be able to contact us....

Again - go to your local university campus and talk to the Physics Department.....

And about time travel - do not forget Einstein - time is relative - not everyone experiences the same time as everyone else - This has been Proven beyond a doubt - they took two quantum clocks (ie extremely precise) - left one in one stationary location, and flew the other around the world - the times no longer match up, both clocks experienced their own time.

Rob

[SnowSnake]

Originally posted by latazyo
elements do not make proteins, molecules that are of the amine group form proteins, multiple elements are required to make molecules

an element can not "morph" into a protein, that doesn't even make sense

Sorry bout that... I didn't know how to translate acid aminé from french to english so I used element :P
Some molecules from the amine group were found on a meteorite that hit earth in the 70's (not sure if it was 60's, 70's or 80's). So a scientist took the same kind of amine molecules, put them in a metal container and in a tube she launched a bullet towards the container at imense speeds. The shock waves created by that impact simulated a meteor hitting the earth. It's that energy that morphed the amine molecules into proteins.

[Slannesh]

Originally posted by latazyo
elements do not make proteins, molecules that are of the amine group form proteins, multiple elements are required to make molecules

an element can not "morph" into a protein, that doesn't even make sense

Umm, sorry but that's flat out wrong. Elements make pretty much everything.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecule

a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its chemical composition and properties. A molecule consists of multiple atoms joined by shared pairs of electrons in a covalent bond. It may consist of atoms of the same chemical element, as with oxygen gas (O2), or of different elements, as with water vapor (H2O). Abstractly, a single atom may be considered a molecule, as it is when referred to collectively with molecules of multiple atoms, but in practice the use of the word molecule is usually confined to chemical compounds, of multiple atoms.

Amino acids aren't much more than complex hydrocarbon chains. For a more detailed look check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid

[JimmyDavid]

Beyond the simple point of elements becoming proteins, the TRUE question comes next: ok, so we have proteins, now what? How does a protein become a living organism? When and how really happens a transformation that turns a protein into something that lives?
But the hard question is: How come we never saw it happen again? In nature, all that can happen once, can obviously happen again if all the ingredients are there. But we never saw "dead carbon" turning "live carbon".

[latazyo]

and what do amino acids form?

proteins

and what are amino acids?
complex hydrocarbon chains
and what are complex hydrocarbon chains?
molecules
and what are molecules?
as you and I both said, composed of 1 or more elements

we said the same thing, but I notice my mistake, however I would say it would not qualify as "flat out wrong" as there is one fundamental inaccuracy that doesn't compromise the information

you are right in saying I was wrong when I said multiple elements, I SHOULD have said multiple ATOMS

we're on the same page, just a early morning typo...I'm glad there are some people that know what they're talking about on here...a good checks and balances system we've got

[Slannesh]

Originally posted by latazyo
elements do not make proteins, molecules that are of the amine group form proteins, multiple elements are required to make molecules

an element can not "morph" into a protein, that doesn't even make sense

Protiens are made up of elements, at the most basic level everything is.

Multiple elements are not required to make a molecule. O2 is a molecule.

Proteins are made up of elements so it makes perfect sense given the language barrier that, admittedly, you and I were both unaware of at the time

I'm not trying to be a dink here, but I said you were flat out wrong for a reason.

[latazyo]

and O2 is made of multiple Oxygen atoms...that was my correction of myself in the last post

oh well I'm not sweating it, this isn't an organic chemistry message board...and if it was we'd be the hugest geeks ever

[coldblooded]

You guys would be the geeks....

I thinks I read somewhere that intelligent life elsewhere would be/is silica based... cant remember where I got it from though...


Mike

[RobV]

And just the way that carbon based life forms require Water, silica based life forms would most likely require hydrogen sulfide (which is extremely bad for us....)