xenobiologist
Studies extraterrestrial organisms
A xenobiologist studies life forms that originate beyond Earth—or in science fiction, the biology of alien species.
The field is largely theoretical, focused on what extraterrestrial life might look like and how to detect it.
In sci-fi contexts, xenobiologists examine alien organisms firsthand: The xenobiologist dissected the creature's unusual respiratory system.
Being from outer space
- exobiologyStudy of cosmic life
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
- genomicsStudy of entire genetic sequences
- microbiologyStudy of microscopic life
astrobiology · SETI · habitability · specimen · fieldwork · laboratory · hypothesis · analysis
Living biological entities
- alienNon-native being
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- microbeMicroscopic living organism
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
organism · species · extremophiles · single-celled · multicellular · sentient · silicon-based · symbiotes
Worlds orbiting other stars
- MarsRed planet, war deity
- EuropaGalilean moon with subsurface ocean
- EnceladusIcy moon with geysers
- TitanMythic giant or moon
habitats · ecosystems · biomes · interstellar · spacecraft · missions · terraformed
Science of categorical arrangement
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
adaptation · genetics · physiology · ethology · phylogeny · systematics · categorization · nomenclature
Life from inanimate matter
- panspermiaLife spreads via space rocks
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- RNAGene expression molecule
proteins · chirality · prebiotic · primordial
extraterrestrial
Being from outer space
- exobiologyStudy of cosmic life
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
- genomicsStudy of entire genetic sequences
microbiology · astrobiology · SETI · habitability · specimen · fieldwork · laboratory · hypothesis · analysis · experimentation
lifeforms
Living biological entities
- alienNon-native being
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- microbeMicroscopic living organism
bacteria · organism · species · extremophiles · single-celled · multicellular · sentient · silicon-based · symbiotes · spores
exoplanets
Worlds orbiting other stars
Titan · habitats · ecosystems · biomes · interstellar · spacecraft · missions · terraformed
taxonomy
Science of categorical arrangement
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
evolution · adaptation · genetics · physiology · ethology · phylogeny · systematics · categorization · nomenclature · kingdom
abiogenesis
Life from inanimate matter
- panspermiaLife spreads via space rocks
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- DNAHereditary code molecule
RNA · proteins · chirality · prebiotic · primordial
xenobiologistmarine biologist
Studies sea life professionally
microbiologist · zoologist · botanist · wildlife biologist · ecologist
biology, xenophobia, biological, biologist, biodiversity, biochemistry, biometrics, biomedicine, bioethics