So, the answer, at least for now, is no – although silicon can sometimes be used biologically as a sort of structural support (and there are some examples claiming silicon as an essential trace element) for carbon-based life - silicon-based life itself does not exist, as far as we know, because of the chemical and ...

Could silicon-based life ever exist within the universe?

Could silicon-based life ever exist within the universe? Yes, although it is unlikely given the interaction between silicon and oxygen. ... Yes, as silicon is in the same family as carbon and these elements have similar properties, although it is unlikely given the interaction between silicon and oxygen.

Can there be non carbon based life?

Non-carbon-based biochemistries. On Earth, all known living things have a carbon-based structure and system. ... He considered that there was only a remote possibility that non-carbon life forms could exist with genetic information systems capable of self-replication and the ability to evolve and adapt.