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A comment on JPL director: Curiosity may have found organic, not biological molecules. Parent comment

Re:JPL director: Curiosity may have found organic, not biolo... by simonh on Wednesday November 28, 2012 @06:32AM (#4842010)
That's all true, but gasoline is actually a biological derivative as it's formed from the remains of living things. So your two examples actually both occur within the context of life.

We do know that organic molecules with non-biological origins do exist on other planets and even on asteroids. Titan has large quantities of organic compounds on it's surface that have non-biological origins, for example. It is believed that at one time Mars had a much thicker atmosphere and active geology which may have lead to the formation of organic compounds.

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Re:JPL director: Curiosity may have found organic, not biolo... by jaggederest on Wednesday November 28, 2012 @06:35AM (#4842019)
Right, I was actually thinking of synthetic hydrocarbons (for example motor oil), and thought gasoline was something people could relate to.

Methane on Titan would be a better example, and I actually initially used methane - but most people have experience with methane in the context of biology, too.

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