Hypothetical Biochemistry is the study of other, non carbon-based life forms. All life as we know is based of one element; Carbon. Carbon is fairly unique in that it forms very long bonds called C-C bonds. In fact, Carbon forms more bonds than all elements bar Hydrogen, which is due to the fact it has 4 valence electrons. This means that it can either give or take 4 electrons, allowing for more possible bonds. Another reason that life for us is based on its abundance. It's the 15th most common element on Earth, and the 4th most common in the known cosmos. Upon hearing that the 4 Valence electrons is and important part in the possibility of life, Sci-Fi fans and scientists alike jumped on Silicon. Like Carbon, it has 4 Valence electrons, and is relatively common in the universe. One important flaw is that, unlike carbon life, wich has a byproduct of Carbon Dioxide, a gas. Silicon life would release Silicon Dioxide, a solid. As common sense dictates, It's a lot harder to exhale a solid. Silicon also has difficulty forming proteins.
One slightly more plausible replacement for carbon would be Nitrogen, largely due to it's ability to create long atom chains. It does fall short in the bonding department due to the fact that Hydrogen-Hydrogen Bonds tend to revert back into two Hydrogen Atoms, as opposed to the stability of carbon-carbon bonds. See the next page for what I believe is the most plausible idea for non- carbon life.
One slightly more plausible replacement for carbon would be Nitrogen, largely due to it's ability to create long atom chains. It does fall short in the bonding department due to the fact that Hydrogen-Hydrogen Bonds tend to revert back into two Hydrogen Atoms, as opposed to the stability of carbon-carbon bonds. See the next page for what I believe is the most plausible idea for non- carbon life.