Alien food

[stanthejeep]

On Earth, life encodes it genes using DNA. Is it safe to assume that on other planets life would begin differently, so therefore their genes would be encoded in a different way? Or is there some reason why we might think that DNA could be universal?<br /><br />Also, would the biology from two different planets be compatible? i.e. could they eat each other? could microbes from one planet infest beings from another planet?<br /><br />And (one more thing) if someone could travel to an alien 'Earth-like' planet and run some experiments on the local plant, microbial, and animal life - what kind of experiments might they perform?<br /><br />If anyone has a link to real research on the subject it would be much appreciated.

 

[nacnud]

Assuming everything was the same DNA, amino acids etc then there is a 50% change that we could eat alien food. Most bimolecules are either left of right handed, for each handedness the body behaves differently either ignoring the wrong handed molecule or having unforeseen side effects.<br /><br />There is a type of fat on the market that is the wrong isomer (handedness) for the body to use, its sold as a diet aid because the body ignores it. This all came to light with the thalidomide side effects. The drug was tested in its optically pure (only one isomer) form but when it was produce commercially both isomers were present and the side effects because of this are well documented.<br /><br />Expect similar with alien food.<br />

 

[nacnud]

Yup, four stranded DNA, etc...<br /><br />Another big thing would be things like the alkoloids in plants, we can eat some find but others are very toxic. Probably the best bet would be to take our own plants and hope we can get them to grow.

 

[rogers_buck]

If we landed on a mirror image planet, then diet soda would make you fat, you could safely eat a hamburger in anti-britain, and probably drive on the proper side of the road. (-;

 

[igorsboss]

<font color="yellow">There is no real research at the moment, but even if an alien biochemistry used DNA there is no reason that the DNA would code for exactly the same enzymes and proteins as it does on Earth. </font><br /><br />Suppose we encountered an alien. If that alien used DNA with the same codons, then that would be excellent evidence for panspermia-like interchange of life between systems.<br />

 

[rogers_buck]

Humm. Biology takes place in a massively parallel competition that sorts things out over many eons. Given the calculus of large numbers and the apparent lack of distinctly diverse life forms on earth at the fundamental level, I wouldn't be surprized to see a similar result with respect to protien handedness and DNA/RNA complexes given similar conditions. Having said that, I also wouldn't be surprized if we lacked the enzymes to breakdown even subtly different proteins. Native Americans got sick when they were given cows milk to drink, for example. So if we humans found ourselves dining on an alien planets fauna, we would no doubt need a pill to enjoy the meal.<br />