Cited by 363Space Science and Extraterrestrial LifeOrigins and Evolution of LifePlanetary Science and Exploration

Is there a common chemical model for life in the universe?

Benner, Steven A, Ricardo, Alonso, Carrigan, Matthew A·2004·Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

Abstract

A review of organic chemistry suggests that life, a chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution, may exist in a wide range of environments. These include non-aqueous solvent systems at low temperatures, or even supercritical dihydrogen-helium mixtures. The only absolute requirements may be a thermodynamic disequilibrium and temperatures consistent with chemical bonding. A solvent system, availability of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, certain thermodynamic features of metabolic pathways, and the opportunity for isolation, may also define habitable environments. If we constrain life to water, more specific criteria can be proposed, including soluble metabolites, genetic materials with repeating charges, and a well defined temperature range.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.cbpa.2004.10.003

Cites

130 of 130 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Alternative solvents to water include sulfuric acid, ammonia, methane, ethane, and nitrogen, each of which would be stable at the surface for different star-planet orbiting distances.

    “Alternative solvents include sulfuric acid, ammonia, methane, ethane, nitrogen, each of which would be stable at the surface for different star-planet orbiting distances.”

    From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Benner et al., 2004

  • Other solvents suggested for extreme cold environments include dinitrogen (N2) and supercritical dihydrogen-helium mixtures.

    “Other solvents suggested for extreme cold environments include dinitrogen (N2) and supercritical dihydrogen-helium mixtures (Bains, 2004; Benner et al., 2004).”

    From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Benner et al., 2004

  • Whereas Earth life exploits compounds with oxygen doubly bonded to carbon, ammonia-based life might instead implement nitrogen doubly bonded to carbon.

    “Additionally, whereas Earth life exploits compounds with oxygen doubly bonded to carbon, ammonia-based life might instead implement nitrogen doubly bonded to carbon (Benner et al., 2004).”

    From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Benner et al., 2004

  • Another alternative genetic system could also have a genetic polymer with different bases than the four used on Earth or with a different chemical backbone.

    “Another alternative genetic system could also have a genetic polymer (i.e., DNA-like molecule) with different bases than the four used on Earth or with a different chemical backbone (Geyer et al., 2003; Benner et al., 2004).”

    From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Benner et al., 2004

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Authors
Benner, S. A., Ricardo, A., & Carrigan, M. A.
Affiliations
University of Florida (US)
Corresponding author
Benner, Steven A
Venue
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-12
Volume
8
Issue
6
Pages
672-689
ISSN
1367-5931 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2012402446
Cited by
363
References
134
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 16
FWCI
1.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Chemical Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
Keywords
origin of life, extraterrestrial life, habitability, non-aqueous solvents, thermodynamic non-equilibrium, chemical evolution, Darwinian evolution, metabolic pathways, water as solvent, genetic material, habitable environments
MeSH terms
Amino Acids, DNA, Extraterrestrial Environment, Models, Chemical

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