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)

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.

A Hypothesis about the Physical Nature of the Phenomenon of Life

A Hypothesis about the Physical Nature of the Phenomenon of Life

"A Hypothesis about the Physical Nature of the Phenomenon of Life", a research paper by 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 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.

The proposed state differs from superconductivity, but its stability is similarly ensured by an estimated energy gap value around 5 × 10–2 eV with width order 2kBTV at temperatures typical to living organisms (e.g., 300 K).