"What is earths surface like ? I have another couple of questions to ask as well: What is its atmosphere like ??"
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Question
I'm wondering if there has been any life discovered on Earth that is not DNA based (life that has evolved in extreme environments, for example).
Yes, we are surrounded by a form of life that is not based on DNA -- we call these viruses. While some viruses have DNA, the majority use RNA to store genetic information. Many scientists would argue that a virus is not truly alive, since it cannot metabolize or reproduce except by inserting itself into a host cell. In the sprit of your question, however, I think one might classify a RNA-virus as a life form that is not DNA based.
David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
June 4, 2008
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