THE SMALLEST QUANTUM OF LIFE

[O'Nero Samuel]

I wonder sometimes, should this be the quest of Physicist or Biologist? Here is my question:

What is the smallest unit of life that is complete on its own, and which forms the building block of all things living? Can it be manupulated to create life or to give life. I know my question isn't acurately framed, but I hope someone understands my question.

[ajb]

I imagine this would be better off in the biology section. The smallest thing that could be co considered alive would be a virus. However, there is some debate about if viruses are alive or not. They are quite simple consisting of RNA or DNA together with a protein shell.

 

Please note that that viruses replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. They cannot do this alone and need living organisms to survive. So, maybe they would not qualify as the "smallest biological unit".

 

Now, quantum mechanics is vital in understanding molecules quite generally. I know that there has been some work on quantum mechanics and DNA mutations, but this is outside of my knowledge. I imagine other here can say more.

Edited August 30, 2012 by ajb

[O'Nero Samuel]

I imagine this would be better off in the biology section. The smallest thing that could be co considered alive would be a virus. However, there is some debate about if viruses are alive or not. They are quite simple consisting of RNA or DNA together with a protein shell.

 

Please note that that viruses replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. They cannot do this alone and need living organisms to survive. So, maybe they would not qualify as the "smallest biological unit".

 

Now, quantum mechanics is vital in understanding molecules quite generally. I know that there has been some work on quantum mechanics and DNA mutations, but this is outside of my knowledge. I imagine other here can say more.

Thank you for your response but I don't think there is any organism built by the combination of viruses. Let me rephrase the question; what is the smallest intersecting particle between biology and physics?

[ajb]

...what is the smallest intersecting particle between biology and physics?

 

That is a vague question. Do you mean what would be the smallest thing a biologist would consider? If so, that too is a bit vague, but molecules and their electronic configurations are fundamental in quantum chemistry which is important in molecular biology.

 

Thank you for your response but I don't think there is any organism built by the combination of viruses.

 

Right, but viruses would represent the smallest unit that has DNA.

[Moontanman]

Thank you for your response but I don't think there is any organism built by the combination of viruses. Let me rephrase the question; what is the smallest intersecting particle between biology and physics?

 

 

What you are suggesting is or at least sounds akin to vitalism which was discredited more than a century ago. But if taken literally then the smallest particle both biology and physics has in common would be the proton... hydrogen ions are an important part of life, well life as we know it anyway...

[O'Nero Samuel]

What you are suggesting is or at least sounds akin to vitalism which was discredited more than a century ago. But if taken literally then the smallest particle both biology and physics has in common would be the proton... hydrogen ions are an important part of life, well life as we know it anyway...

Thanks for the tip. Vitalism seem to be the closest to what I was getting at. I believe that they weren't looking at the theory from the appropraite perspective.

They made bold presumptions without solid background; like about organic and inorganic substaces. But these claims should have been more subtle.

Given current scientific discoveries, one should look again at this theory. There seem to be an underlying truth that might change our medcine forever. Physicist could actually solve life!

[Moontanman]

Thanks for the tip. Vitalism seem to be the closest to what I was getting at. I believe that they weren't looking at the theory from the appropraite perspective.

They made bold presumptions without solid background; like about organic and inorganic substaces. But these claims should have been more subtle.

Given current scientific discoveries, one should look again at this theory. There seem to be an underlying truth that might change our medcine forever. Physicist could actually solve life!

 

 

Again, vitalism was discredited more than a century ago, if they made bold assumptions with out a solid background maybe you could enlighten us as to what you mean by that?

 

Possibly you could give us your definition of organic and inorganic substances?

 

And a heads up on that under lying truth would be helpful as well....

 

As for solving life... what exactly do you mean by that? Life is not exactly mysterious, as far as I know life is a chemical reaction nothing more, if you have evidence it is more than a chemical reaction please show us your evidence of this.

[Essay]

... like about organic and inorganic substaces. But these claims should have been more subtle.

Physicist could actually solve life!

~I think physics already understands how life works, if that is what you mean; and I also could add that....

 

Those "organic/inorganic" distinctions are fairly arbitrary, with definitions shifting depending on which discipline or sector of science is involved ...and on how developed or detailed any sector is at a given time.

...or words to that effect.

 

But mainly I wanted to confirm that you understand the laws remain the same; that is the laws of physics don't change in biology or chemistry. Biology is based on the same laws of physics that also govern chemistry.

 

Maybe this has just stated the obvious, but something made me wonder if you saw it differently. Does that make sense?

 

~

[Delta1212]

The smallest self-contained component of life from which all living things are built is the cell.

[derek w]

If you could go outside the universe,and look at it from a far,would the universe look like a living organism,with structure and systems?

stars that create elements that make planets,with atmosphere etc.

Edited September 7, 2012 by derek w

[O'Nero Samuel]

Now that is another perspective. If life is as we currently describe it to be, how then can we differentiate the living from the dead?