Some science fiction writers have speculated that Si could play the role that C plays on Earth. Both belong to group IV of the periodic table, i.e., they have four electrons and need other four to fill up. This fact provides C with its property of making long, so-called hydrocarbon chains. Therefore it stands to reason that Si could be used instead.
Anyway, Diatom algae do use Si to build covers which have been used as fossil records to follow these useful algae through their evolution on Earth.
About C based life outside of the Earth read, NYT.
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