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Print From atoms to life | |
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Ester Lopez (Melb)
Initiate  Usergroup: Members Joined: Apr 18, 2006 Location: Australia Total Topics: 0 Total Posts: 1 |
 #1
Subject: From atoms to life # We distinguish life from inanimate matter, by virtue of the its ability to reproduce, metabolize, grow, respond to stimuli and adapt to its environment. # Atoms are the building blocks of nature, which broadly speaking are tiny clumps of empty space, protons + neutrons, and electrons whizzing around. # Arbitrary forces/bonds brings atoms together to give "substance" # If you add a single proton to an atom, you get a different kind of atom. If you add too many, radioactivity results, and subatomic particles and energy are emitted. # There are a multitute of more or less stable atoms, each one of them classed as an element e.g. gold, iron, carbon. # Combinations of elements result the formation of molecules. Elements combine in an infinite array in almost infinite ways, making up everything in the universe. For all the variety of combinations, however, only one element carbon stands out by its ability to combine into impressively complex molecules. # The DNA molecule is the most impressive of these. It's the only one that can copy itself. It's only by virtue of the ability of the atoms constituting the DNA molecule to "copy" themselves that life exists. As a scientist in the life sciences I am very familar with the elegant intricate process of how the DNA molecule copies itself, through the process of first unwinding, and then introducing a series of enzymes, leading to the synthesis of each of the bases. But what I find fascinating is what happens at an atomic level for this to occur? How does a carbon atom, or a hydrogen atom make a copy of itself, just like that. By what force and by what process does this occur? Any insights ? 
Edited by Ester Lopez (Melb) on May 8, 2006 - 5:27 AM "A human being is part of a whole, called by us the "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest -a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty" "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious" |
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rabeldin
Probabalistic Philosopher  Usergroup: Members Joined: Oct 06, 2003 Location: Puerto Rico Total Topics: 29 Total Posts: 5427 |
#2
The elements are not copied. Every organism collects inputs from its environment. The needed atoms are derived from those inputs by ordinary chemical processes which break compounds down and reorganize the atoms into new compounds. Leave no assumption unquestioned. |
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khuram
Philosopher  Usergroup: Members Joined: Sep 01, 2006 Total Topics: 2 Total Posts: 119 |
#3
@ Ester Lopez Rabeldin is right...! Individual atoms do not copy themselves. They come from environment.. in the form of nutrients, food etc.. Remember that all (except minerals and water) our nutrients are also made up of hydrocarbons... In the digestion process, these nutrients become energy and amino acids... The replication process uses this same amino acids during the process of protien synthesis ... which is also the result of replication process. Thanks! Khuram Plz wait for the signature! |
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sheol
Graduate  Usergroup: Members Joined: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Seattle, Wa. USA Total Topics: 3 Total Posts: 150 |
#4
Atoms don't copy themselves but molocules can. Suppose you have an molocule that is made up of two atoms like so 1212121, and 1's loke to bond with in the following way each likes to have be bonded with exactly two of the other, and not at all with itself, then this could happen: 1212121 2 1212121 2 2 1 1212121 2 2 12 1 1212121 2 2 121 21 1212121 2 2 1212121 But suppose that 2's can't support the weight of 14 other atoms so it breaks. Viola |
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khuram
Philosopher Usergroup: Members Joined: Sep 01, 2006 Total Topics: 2 Total Posts: 119 |
#5
  
Plz wait for the signature! |
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