Kohila Posted October 24, 2013 Posted October 24, 2013 I get this doubt often. All things that exist in the universe are primarily made of atoms. Does a cell contains atom as a smallest particle. If so, how does a group of elements form a living structure? So, confusing!
Strange Posted October 24, 2013 Posted October 24, 2013 Yes, cells are made of atoms. The atoms are in all the molecules that make up the chemistry of the cell: water, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, enzymes, DNA, etc. All are chemical compounds made of atoms. The structures of the cell (membranes, protoplasm, nucleus, organelles, etc.) are all made of these chemicicals and so are made of atoms. The cell is alve because of the biochemical processes going on between these molecules and atoms. As to how life began, this is not known with any certainty yet. But there are some very good hypotheses, based on various lines of eveidence. It isn't an area I know a lot about so maybe someone else can provide more info. 1
AlphaZNV Posted November 2, 2013 Posted November 2, 2013 You're are only confused because, likely, you relate life to consciousness by your definition, whereas limited information relating chemical relationships to consciousness is provided. If you exclude advanced consciousness so far as we know in contrast to other organisms discovered, and follow by definition, it will become very clear to you how cells (compose of many molecules / elements, essentially, entities by specific term) can compose living organisms. Atoms just compose element, which, by traditional science, everything is composed of atoms.
StringJunky Posted November 2, 2013 Posted November 2, 2013 (edited) Life is an emergent property of atoms and molecules. That is to say, at some level of complexity, this group of atoms and molecules that seem to be acting collectively in a concerted and autonomous way, becomes defined as 'alive'. I found this article about emergence which might help to enable your understanding of it which I think is important to grasp as a concept in order to mentally transit from the non-living molecules through to the living organism. http://io9.com/5844183/emergence-the-scientific-concept-that-explains-slime-friction-and-brooklyn-neighborhoods Edited November 2, 2013 by StringJunky 1
dr.vibhorMD Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Everything in this universe which has mass and volume(which is called as matter) is made of atoms. Life is nothing but a co-ordinated sequences of chemical reactions going on inside the cells. Reactions going on inside it prevents it from getting disintegrated.
AndresKiani Posted January 11, 2014 Posted January 11, 2014 There is two centuries of scientific proof that indicate all matter is built on atoms and molecules. I mean all of biology is specially cellular, because of the molecular level it is at. You really deal with chemical properties and chemistry extensively.
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