Fermi Paradox: The Phosphorus Question

TL;DR

The scarcity of phosphorus in certain areas of the galaxy may be a determining factor in the rarity of intelligent alien life.

Transcript

One of the trickiest things in astrobiology is predicting how an alien organism’s biochemistry might work. Indeed there are a number of proposed biochemistries completely different from what we find here on earth including hypothetical silicon-based life, various alternatives to water as a solvent for biochemistry, and even extreme biochemistries t... Read More

Key Insights

• 👽 Predicting the biochemistry of alien organisms is challenging, considering the various proposed alternatives to Earth's biochemistry.
• 👽 Oxygen and specific elements, particularly phosphorus, are likely essential for the development of intelligent alien life.
• 🛟 The scarcity of phosphorus in certain areas of the universe may limit the occurrence of complex life in those regions.
• 😘 Observations of phosphorus distribution in supernova remnants suggest that the amount of phosphorus created and blown out in explosions may vary.
• 🤑 Areas rich in essential elements, such as Earth, may be more favorable for the development of intelligent life.
• 🛟 Earth's conditions for the development of intelligent life required specific factors and some luck, indicating that intelligent life may be rare.
• 🤩 The astronomical numbers of galaxies, stars, and planets make it highly likely that intelligent life exists somewhere in the universe.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the biochemistry of alien organisms differ from what we find on Earth?

The biochemistries of alien organisms can be completely different, including silicon-based life and alternatives to water as a solvent. Extreme biochemistries may also be possible at very low temperatures.

Q: Why is oxygen important for intelligent alien life?

Oxygen and its chemistry are likely crucial for the functioning of a large brain in intelligent alien life forms. There are limited suitable chemical alternatives that can perform this role.

Q: Can simple anaerobic life survive without oxygen?

Yes, simple anaerobic life can survive without oxygen. In fact, the first life on Earth had no use for oxygen and considered it poisonous.

Q: What are the essential elements for complex carbon-based life on Earth?

Complex life on Earth requires more than 25 elements chemically, but six major elements, including oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are crucial for survival.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Biochemistry of alien organisms is difficult to predict, but there are proposed alternative biochemistries to what we find on Earth.

• Intelligent alien life may be dependent on oxygen and specific elements such as phosphorus for a large brain to develop.

• Observations show that the distribution of phosphorus in the universe may not be uniform, potentially leaving some areas poor in this element and without complex life.