Exploring the Quantum Physics of Human Life: Insights from Schr?dinger

The concept of how quantum physics relates to the complexity of human life has been a subject of immense fascination for scholars and scientists alike. In 1944, the renowned physicist Edwin Schr?dinger delved into this topic in his seminal work, What is Life?. This exploration not only sheds light on the intricacies of life but also challenges our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics as they apply to biological systems.

Understanding Entropy and Life

Schr?dinger begins his exploration by highlighting the concept of entropy in the absence of life. At a quantum level, the tendency towards increasing disorder (entropy) is a fundamental principle. This principle implies that as one moves to smaller scales, the likelihood of observing consistent behavior decreases. However, when life emerges, this tendency towards disorder does not always hold true.

Replication of Genetic Material

A key area where quantum physics seemingly falters is in the accurate replication of genetic material, such as DNA. According to quantum mechanics, at such small scales, it should be nearly impossible for genetic material to replicate accurately. Yet, this is not the case in living organisms. This conundrum leads Schr?dinger to propose the existence of specific "other laws of physics" that apply to living matter.

The Role of Negative Entropy

Schr?dinger suggests that living organisms are able to counteract the natural tendency towards entropy through the consumption of negative entropy. This concept is crucial as it explains how life can maintain its structure and function against the flow of increasing entropy. Schr?dinger argues that living organisms continually increase their entropy while drawing from their environment negative entropy, which acts to offset the entropy increase and maintain a relatively stable state.

The Puzzle of Microtubules

The challenge of achieving highly accurate molecular processes in living systems, such as the replication of DNA, extends to other aspects of cellular function. A recent hypothesis by physicist Roger Penrose posits that microtubules in the brain might function as quantum computers. This idea raises questions about the temperature requirements for such processes in a biological context.

Penrose's assertion that microtubules could operate as quantum computers at higher temperatures seems to align with Schr?dinger's broader theory. Schr?dinger suggests that life circumvents the need for extremely low temperatures by employing mechanisms inherent in living matter to manage entropy more efficiently. This concept not only challenges the traditional view of quantum physics but also opens up new avenues for understanding biological processes.

Cellular Independence and Entropy Management

Schr?dinger's insights extend to the level of the individual cell, where each cell acts as a tiny sanitation department, ridding itself of entropy. He suggests that the existence of life fundamentally changes the relationship between individual cells and the larger system. By independently managing their own entropy, cells can collectively prevent the overwhelming accumulation of entropy that would otherwise lead to the breakdown of the entire system, a process often associated with aging and death.

Aperiodic Crystals and DNA

Schr?dinger hypothesizes that the aperiodic nature of DNA might be crucial in its ability to act as a kind of mechanical clockwork. While the exact nature of aperiodic crystals was not fully understood during Schr?dinger's time, recent discoveries, such as the quasicrystals, have shown that these structures can indeed exist and have unique properties that align with Schr?dinger's concepts.

The current understanding of DNA structure, while it lacks a definitive aperiodic crystal form, still raises questions about how DNA maintains its integrity and replicates accurately. The ongoing research in this area will likely provide deeper insights into the nature of DNA and its relationship to the second law of thermodynamics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Schr?dinger's thoughts on the quantum physics of life stand as a fascinating intersection between the probe of quantum mechanics and the mystery of biological existence. His ideas continue to challenge and inspire modern scientific exploration, encouraging us to rethink the fundamental principles of physics and biology. The search for the elusive "other laws of physics" continues, and each new discovery brings us closer to understanding the nature of life itself.