Can only basic species live on alternatives to oxygen?

27 March 2011

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Question

Can only basic species live on alternatives to oxygen?

Answer

We put this question to Rich Boden, Warwick University...

Rich - I suppose anything is possible, but many bacteria use things instead of oxygen such as nitrate or metals. I don't think it's been found in eukarya, so plants and animals yet, but bacteria and Archaea can certainly do it.

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