| Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web. While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous. Join our community today! |
| Ethane based, cryogenic life.; Life on Titanian ice-moons. | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Jun 7 2009, 09:56 AM (523 Views) | |
| T.Neo | Jun 7 2009, 09:56 AM Post #1 |
![]()
Translunar injection: TLI
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Hi, I'm T.Neo. This is my first post here so don't kill me. I've heard speculation of life living in Titan-like environments, using a hydrocarbon such as ethane or methane. Now, Titan is clearly rich in organic materials that could be a precursor to life. But how would such life get energy from the environment? In a reducing environment, how would organisms store energy chemically? What gases would be emitted by life, and what compounds would they use to construct their bodies? |
| A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork. | |
![]() |
|
| Spinosaurus Rex | Jun 8 2009, 02:37 AM Post #2 |
![]()
Apex
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
WOAH! Too many questions. The only thing I'll speculate on is its energy source. Its reasonable to assume that Titan is heated internally by Saturn, just as Europa is by Jupiter. Its possible that such life could be an underground species, likely living in deep, underground methane reservoirs to gain heat. Edited by Spinosaurus Rex, Jun 8 2009, 02:40 AM.
|
The Dreaded AOL Dial-Up has left me afraid to spend more than 5 minutes posting at risk of losing it all. Arghhh.
| |
![]() |
|
| T.Neo | Jun 8 2009, 08:41 AM Post #3 |
![]()
Translunar injection: TLI
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well, Titan has an underground "mantle" of water-ammonia slush, where more familiar life might reside. As for life using ethane as a solvent, Titan is warm enough- ethane only collects at the poles. I was referring to chemical energy, i.e. like the oxygen cycle on Earth. And simple life in great numbers can greatly alter the environment. A "living" Titan may be very different to the one we see today. |
| A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork. | |
![]() |
|
| Spinosaurus Rex | Jun 8 2009, 08:52 AM Post #4 |
![]()
Apex
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
There are some chemicals which can create energy by using ammonia in a chemical reaction, though no organism that I know of has ever used this process. They could 'breathe' ammonia. The biproduct of such processes would likely be some sort of 'deficient' ammonia, like biological residue or a paper that has been burned. |
The Dreaded AOL Dial-Up has left me afraid to spend more than 5 minutes posting at risk of losing it all. Arghhh.
| |
![]() |
|
| ATEK Azul | Jun 8 2009, 03:21 PM Post #5 |
|
Transhuman
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The amonia based reactions sound like a good idea though i think that chemosynthisis is your best bet, though getting energy by burning ethane and methane is a good thought too. |
| I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's! | |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · The Habitable Zone · Next Topic » |








9:41 AM Jul 11