in Science: Hydrogen Harvesting Life Forms
The article is an interesting piece on bacteria that can survive without oxygen. The key finding of this discovery is the implications on evolution and oxygen’s role in it. It is currently thought that oxygen played the dominant role in the appearance of larger, complex, multicellular organisms. This article claims that it was not oxygen but hydrogen that played the dominant role.
While I believe the truth to be more of a combination of both sides than either individually, I think there is interesting evidence now to consider the possibility of life elsewhere in our universe where oxygen is not available. We seek Earth-like planets (which includes oxygen content) and look for life there, but what if we are missing life under our cosmic noses because we are not focusing as much attention on planets with less oxygen?
It will be interesting to see where this discovery goes.
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I like this hydrogen-feeding bacteria article.
In the days of programs like SETI, there was talk of what you suggested about non-oxygen based life forms. I recall that silicon was the element of interest. However, hydrogen is a (very) light atomic weight gas, and actually seems a better “oxygen alternative” than silicon!
P.S. I enjoyed the video featuring your mother. That was very nice. I hope you are acquiring some food preparation skills as you had mentioned in your first post or two. You’re back home from the summer apartment adventure, yes?
[…] Ellie’s comment on the hydrogen harvesting bacteria post asking if I’ve continued cooking and if I’m home:Yes, I’m back home from the […]
[…] Ellie’s comment on the hydrogen harvesting bacteria post asking if I’ve continued cooking and if I’m home: Yes, I’m back home from the […]