NASA Disovers New Lifeform

glatt · 12-02-2010, 03:39 PM

I don't have the biochemistry to completely understand this, but doesn't DNA stand for a big long word like dioxyribonucleic acid, or something like that? And isn't DNA made up of all these bases? The As and Cs and Ts and Gs? And isn't each "A" an actual specific chemical? (And so on.)

If we're switching chemicals here, so that the formula for each base pair is different, then how can they call it DNA? DNA has a specific chemical formula. wouldn't they have to make up a new name for it? Does the "DNA" in this bacteria have the same double helix shape?

xoxoxoBruce · 12-02-2010, 03:42 PM

Is that what they are saying, or are they saying a lifeform no longer needs DNA to qualify as such?

Lamplighter · 12-02-2010, 03:45 PM

Maybe it's like carbon-based oils vs silicon-based oils.

Silicone oil works better in SillyPutty.

Shawnee123 · 12-02-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Maybe it's like carbon-based oils vs silicon-based oils.

Silicone oil works better in SillyPutty.

I just had a billion dollar idea. Remember, you heard it here first. Just a novelty item, but a "putty" that you can stretch and press onto your computer screen to get an image...just like silly putty with newspaper. Then you can stretch it and make funny things. I want to silly grab that picture Flint has been posting. That would be great silly putty fodder!

toranokaze · 12-11-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

I don't have the biochemistry to completely understand this, but doesn't DNA stand for a big long word like dioxyribonucleic acid, or something like that? And isn't DNA made up of all these bases? The As and Cs and Ts and Gs? And isn't each "A" an actual specific chemical? (And so on.)

If we're switching chemicals here, so that the formula for each base pair is different, then how can they call it DNA? DNA has a specific chemical formula. wouldn't they have to make up a new name for it? Does the "DNA" in this bacteria have the same double helix shape?

What makes DNA is the sugar Deoxyribose. Now the nucleic acid (the A,T,G,C part) is attached to one end and the Phosphorus, or Arsenic in this case, is attached to the other.

So as long as Deoxyribose is there it is DNA helix or not.

12-02-2010, 03:42 PM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Is that what they are saying, or are they saying a lifeform no longer needs DNA to qualify as such? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

12-02-2010, 03:39 PM	#1
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I don't have the biochemistry to completely understand this, but doesn't DNA stand for a big long word like dioxyribonucleic acid, or something like that? And isn't DNA made up of all these bases? The As and Cs and Ts and Gs? And isn't each "A" an actual specific chemical? (And so on.) If we're switching chemicals here, so that the formula for each base pair is different, then how can they call it DNA? DNA has a specific chemical formula. wouldn't they have to make up a new name for it? Does the "DNA" in this bacteria have the same double helix shape?

12-02-2010, 03:45 PM	#3
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	Maybe it's like carbon-based oils vs silicon-based oils. Silicone oil works better in SillyPutty.

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