Frontmatter -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- 1 Introduction -- 2 A Sketch of the Chemistry Behind Known Carbon-based Life on Earth -- 3 Pushing the Boundaries of Life -- 4 Alternatives to Terran Biochemistry in Water -- 5 Origin of Life -- 6 Why Water? Toward More Exotic Habitats -- 7 Life Detection and Biomarkers -- 8 Conclusions and Recommendations -- Appendixes -- A Glossary -- B Biographies of Committee Members and Staff.