NASA Discovers bacteria which uses Arsenic

[Anomalocaris]

I don't think this is an issue of multiple abiogenesis at all. All this means is that a bacterium living in an extreme environment has evolved to an extreme environment (albeit one that was rich in arsenic and poor in phosphorus). So, for instance, no one is proposing (certainly not based on any data I know of) that these bacteria first formed back in the primordial soup during Earth's early beginnings. What these results have shown is that some bacteria are capable of replacing phosphorus with arsenic, an ability which not only affects their DNA makeup, but also their ability to manufacture certain necessary energy compounds, such as ATP. Apparently, they were able to adapt by producing a different energy molecule that uses arsenic instead of phosphorus. I eagerly await results from others to see if these findings hold up, and to see what details are filled in.

I think you are right, since remnant phosphate groups are to be found in the organism's DNA.

[theVOID]

Not quite. This bacteria had evolved tolerance for Arsenic due to it's environment which while being abnormally high in arsenic levels and had a PH of 10 still contained Phosphates, the organisms were using the phosphates in their environment primarily. What happened when these microbes were put into conditions where there was absolutely no phosphate and only arsenate is the amazing part, the microbes were able to use the arsenate in the same biochemical processes, albeit with somewhat different results.

Anyway, what this most remarkably demonstrates is that the usual mix of N, O, H, C, P and S required for life is not a boundary but a commonality.

What would be extremely interesting is if Selenium can be used in place of Sulfur or Silicon in place of Carbon, this would be more amazing as it would make the proportions and relationships between bonds more important than the elements themselves. If more evidence is gathered supporting that idea then the likelihood of life occurring from environment to environment increases several fold.

[Autumnlicious]

Anyway, what this most remarkably demonstrates is that the usual mix of N, O, H, C, P and S required for life is not a boundary but a commonality.

What would be extremely interesting is if Selenium can be used in place of Sulfur or Silicon in place of Carbon, this would be more amazing as it would make the proportions and relationships between bonds more important than the elements themselves.

Knowing Craig Venter and his quest to make organic life in a lab from scratch, I have no doubt that if man were to understand a cell completely, one might make that sort of "life" from the ground up. Though I can't see how such a thing would work.

[Anomalocaris]

I saw a interesting speculation that very short lived but very fast paced iron based life may be plausible on the surface of a neutron star. Basically neutron star is thought to be made from neutron degenerate matter with a thin crust of very hot normal atoms, a large percentage of which would be iron, compressed under intense gravity to a very high density. It was calculated that in this situation very dense packs of very energetic atoms can form very complicated but short lived molecule like structures, and some of the structures can self replicate, potentially leading to something like life. The temperature and pressure would mean all reactions would very fast, thus lifespan would be short and any evolution intensely fast.

[Demonaura]

Apprently there is still some room for doubt about this out there, I really don't know enough to confirm or deny this guys arguments but, I'm sure there are some people here who can dig a little deeper than I.

Scienceblogs Guest Post

I'm taking some biology courses in the Fall semester along with my IT courses, really looking forward to getting in depth with some of this stuff.

[downbeatplumb]

Apprently there is still some room for doubt about this out there, I really don't know enough to confirm or deny this guys arguments but, I'm sure there are some people here who can dig a little deeper than I.

Scienceblogs Guest Post

I'm taking some biology courses in the Fall semester along with my IT courses, really looking forward to getting in depth with some of this stuff.

I'm sure NASA wouldve thought of all that stuff before making their big announcement.

[Demonaura]

As time goes on I'm actually seeing more people doubting it. And I'm sorry but, even NASA is capable of getting excited and a little ahead of themselves. Arguments from authority is not enough to silence doubt.