# A Hypothesis about the Physical Nature of the Phenomenon of Life (A Contribution to the Discussion of the Paper by G.R. Ivanitskii 21st Century: What Is Life from the Perspective of Physics)

**Authors:** A. M. Smolovich  
**arXiv:** [2201.13209](https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.13209)  
**Date:** 2021-12-27  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2201.13209v1/

## Key points

- A. M. Smolovich proposes a hypothesis about the physical nature of the phenomenon of life
- The hypothesis is based on Kresin's assumption that electron delocalization in conjugated molecules is a main basis for life
- A macroscopic quantum state characterized by an energy gap in the electronic spectrum occurring in organic structural components of cells provides a basis for the phenomenon of life
- The stability of this state is ensured by the presence of an energy gap with an estimated value of approximately 5 × 10–2 eV and width order of 2kBTV at temperatures typical of living organisms (e.g., 300 K)
- The possibility to detect this energy gap experimentally using optical spectroscopy is discussed
- This hypothesis contributes to ongoing discussions about defining life and differentiating animate and inanimate matter based on specific traits.

## Summary

In the article "A Hypothesis about the Physical Nature of the Phenomenon of Life," A. M. Smolovich proposes that a macroscopic quantum state characterized by an energy gap in the electronic spectrum and occurring in organic structural components of cells provides a basis for the phenomenon of life. This hypothesis is based on Kresin's assumption that electron delocalization in conjugated molecules is a main basis for life, and that a pair correlation of collectivized electrons results in an energy gap arising in the spectrum which ensures stability similar to that observed in superconductive metals. While this state differs from superconductivity, its stability is similarly ensured by the presence of an energy gap with an estimated value of approximately 5 × 10–2 eV and width order of 2kBTV at temperatures typical of living organisms (e.g., 300 K). The possibility to detect this energy gap experimentally using optical spectroscopy is discussed. This hypothesis contributes to ongoing discussions about defining life and differentiating animate and inanimate matter based on specific traits.