In the movie, Lost in Space, spider-like creatures attacked members of the Robinson family as they explored an abandoned spaceship. Maureen (the mom) scans the creatures and reports that the spiders are silicon-based life-forms.
1) If silicon-based life exists, would it be possible to consume carbon-based life, digest it, and use the products as nutrients? Explain why or why not?
2) Explain why do potential space explorers require being able to produce all of the food that they will require, in spite of of whether life is found elsewhere?