Is it mathematically impossible for us to be the only planet with life?

If there was another planet that formed exactly like earth did , would life forms on it evolve just like us?

  • If the conditions there started the same as they did here, would life forms adapt to the planet and evolve just like we did? Or would evolve differently?

  • Answer:

    If there was another planet that started just like earth, then for it to evolve exactly like earth's life forms did, the planet would have to have exactly the same conditions throughout its history as earth did. It would have to be in exactly the same place relative to its sun, have the same orbit, same light & heat exposure, etc. Even though there are that many other stars, planets, galaxies, etc., the odds that one would have identical conditions and history as earth are beyond astronomical. So my guess would be that even though it started out the same, due to variances in the aforementioned factors, whether slight or major, would cause a different evolutionary path. While some life forms would be the same, others would be different, and still others would be totally "alien".

lsuperge... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

There are so many factors that go into evolution, I would say no. Size and location of land masses, amount of water, distance from the sun, etc...

Brian S

I hope not

Yafooey!

There could be, and they probably are more advanced than us. Do you believe in other beings and U.F.O sightings?

TheGeneral

Well as soon as scientists define life and what causes it you will have an answer.

hussyman2003

who knows girl??

Yo tu amigo

Well assuming everything was EXACTLY the same then they would most likely evolve similarly. But that's also assuming that of all teh species they could all be born with the same genetic differences. Keep in mind pretend they have rabbits on their planet, and a rabbit is born with 3 legs (and this is a dominating trait) and the 3 legs helped them better survive, then a new species of rabbit would be formed with 3 legs, because even if the rabbit reproduced with another 2 legged rabbit the litter would have 3 legs. So in all honestity, probobly yes they would be the same. But that would assume that the same "defects" happened in all species. I hope that this makes sense.

attackof_themander

If the conditions were the same they would evolve by natural selection, though in response to differently developing environmental conditions. For instance; the meteor that hit the earth at the K-T boundary, causing mass extinction, would not have hit the other planet. If the other planet had mass extinctions, they would have had different timing. So, impacting which organisms are favored in natural selection.

jonmcn49

Yes, they would evolve, just as our lifeforms have evolved, however, the final results would be different. Evolution is a result of favorable mutations that get carried through into future generations. In order for all of the specific mutations that have brought this world to where it is, to be identical to those on another planet, every single factor that went into forcing them and allowing them to continue would have to have been identical.

Rahmanan

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.