Eli5 - is there something inherently unique about carbon and water (et. al.) that makes scientists assume planets with life would need them, or is that just an “earth centric” assumption because that’s how life works on our planet?

Eli5 - is there something inherently unique about carbon and water (et. al.) that makes scientists assume planets with life would need them, or is that just an “earth centric” assumption because that’s how life works on our planet?