Why are the conditions for alien life to evolve the same as ours? Why can’t they evolve without water, or extremely far from their sun? Is there a reason for this or is it just because our only example is ourselves?

Question

Idk if to put biology or planetary science so ye.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Everything else everyone is saying, but also do you remember in the 80s/90s when there was all kinds of sci-fi about silicone life forms on other planets? The reason that became the next most popular base element is because silicone has similar properties and forms the same kind of bonds as carbon. The reason we don’t really take it seriously is because, even if it was possible to form life from silicone, it would be very heavy and unable to form long complex chains. It might support simple life occuring naturally, but it’s very unlikely that it could support complex life. Carbon just seems the be the perfect element for complex life forms.