Silicon-based lifeform
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
A silicon-based lifeform is a corporeal lifeform that uses silicon as the basis of its structure and life functions rather than carbon.
Silicon-based life was thought to be physiologically impossible before the discovery of the Horta of Janus VI. It is not possible for silicon life to evolve in an oxygen atmosphere. (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")
In 2151, Captain Jonathan Archer of Enterprise (NX-01) tried to convince Commander Charles Tucker that Starfleet had sent them to a planet to meet with a silicon-based lifeform, when Tucker was hallucinating "people coming out of the rock face." (ENT: "Strange New World")
In 2374, a Hirogen hunter boasted to Tom Paris about tracking a silicon-based lifeform through the neutronium mantle of a collapsed star. (VOY: "Prey")
- Fossils of Martian insects were displayed on computer screens during the first season of TNG. The images were taken from the Spaceflight Chronology, and described in the book as being silicon-based lifeforms.
[edit] Silicon based lifeforms
- Crystalline Entity (TNG: "Datalore", "Silicon Avatar")
- Excalbian of Excalbia (TOS: "The Savage Curtain")
- Horta of Janus VI (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")
- Microbrain of Velara III (TNG: "Home Soil")
- Silicon-based parasite (VOY: "The Disease")
- Silicon-based virus (ENT: "Observer Effect")
- Uncertain
- Martian insect (TNG: "The Last Outpost", "Datalore")
