--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The question we ask is - if there is life…" description: "\"The question we ask is - if there is life on other planets, should we expect it to be based on the same molecules, i.e. be universal - or should we exp..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dimitar-sasselov-30227_ask_the-question-we-ask-is-if-there-is-life_387124.jpg" --- # The question we ask is - if there is life on other… ![“The question we ask is - if there is life on other planets, should we expect it to be based on the same molecules, i.e. be universal - or should we expect it to depend on the local conditions, i.e. on the planet's geochemistry. So to find out, we try experiments on biomolecules, starting with such…” quote by Dimitar Sasselov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dimitar-sasselov-30227_ask_the-question-we-ask-is-if-there-is-life_387124.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dimitar-sasselov-30227_ask_the-question-we-ask-is-if-there-is-life_387124.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dimitar-sasselov-30227_ask_the-question-we-ask-is-if-there-is-life_387124.jpg) > “The question we ask is - if there is life on other planets, should we expect it to be based on the same molecules, i.e. be universal - or should we expect it to depend on the local conditions, i.e. on the planet's geochemistry. So to find out, we try experiments on biomolecules, starting with such geochemistry conditions.” [Dimitar Sasselov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitar-sasselov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He questions whether extraterrestrial life must share Earth‑like chemistry or could arise from different planetary conditions. **In simple terms:** Life elsewhere might use different chemistry, not just Earth’s. Key Takeaway Consider diverse planetary environments in the search for life. Themes astrophysics chemistry philosophy exploration open‑mindedness Mood curious thoughtful speculative Type scientific inquisitive When to use this quote - space mission design - lab simulation - public outreach - policy planning Key Concepts planetary science organic chemistry exoplanet studies Questions to Reflect On - What alternative biochemistries could exist? - How can we design experiments for unknown chemistries? A Different Perspective Assuming Earth‑like chemistry may limit detection methods. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Experiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiments/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life on other planets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-on-other-planets/) [Planet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planet/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) ## Related quotes > [The discovery and investigation of life on other planets is likely to change many of our ideas about how life arose on the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-smoot/the-discovery-and-investigation-of-life-on-other-planets-is-likely-to/) [George Smoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-smoot/) > [As if we can ever imagine the past, future, life on other planets, everything is such an extension, such a projection of life as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/as-if-we-can-ever-imagine-the-past-future-life-on-other-planets/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [We don't know why we are here and the context of our role in the universe, and the thought of an infinite universe. 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