Despite our advancements in science, we still grapple with a fundamental question: What is life? This question remains unanswered, even when considering life on Earth. The gap between our understanding of physics and the emergence of life is significant. Physics describes a universe that unfolds like a clockwork music box, predictable and timeless. However, this doesn’t adequately explain the novelty and complexity of biological evolution, where new species and technologies continuously emerge.
Physics, as we know it, doesn’t predict the emergence of biology or explain why life began to evolve. While Darwin’s Theory of Evolution provides insights into the gradual changes in species, it doesn’t bridge the gap from inanimate matter to living organisms. This is where ‘Assembly Theory’ comes into play, offering a framework to understand how non-living matter can become evolutionary, essentially turning sand into cells through selection processes.
Assembly Theory suggests that life creates complex structures at scale. For instance, if you found multiple iPhones on Mars, it would indicate a technological process linked to a living system. This theory encapsulates the ability to generate complexity across various entities. As a chemist, I think about molecules as a series of atoms connected by bonds. The ‘Assembly Index’ measures the minimum information needed to reconstruct a molecule from its basic building blocks.
One motivation for developing Assembly Theory was to aid NASA in searching for life beyond Earth. Instead of focusing on Earth-centric molecules, we should look for complexity as a universal marker of life. By applying Assembly Theory, NASA can analyze samples from meteorites and other celestial bodies to map potential life forms across the universe. Currently, Earth is the only known place with life, but this technique could help us discover life on Mars and beyond.
Assembly Theory challenges the notion that life is improbable by explaining how rocks, through gradual selection, can evolve into complex forms. The environment on early Earth provided the chemistry and conditions necessary for life to originate. The key to understanding life’s origin is the concept of existence. For an object to exist, it must survive longer than its natural lifespan. This process of copying and persisting against randomness is how life emerges.
Life is essentially fragile chemistry that has learned to replicate itself to persist. Living organisms are the oldest artifacts on Earth, even older than some rocks, because of their ability to copy and continue existing. In essence, life boils down to two fundamental concepts: existence and copying. These principles form the foundation of biology, illustrating how life can emerge and thrive in the universe.
Engage in a structured debate with your peers about the challenges and possibilities of bridging physics and biology. Discuss whether current scientific theories adequately explain the emergence of life and propose potential interdisciplinary approaches to address these gaps.
Participate in a hands-on workshop where you will explore Assembly Theory by constructing models of complex molecules. Use the ‘Assembly Index’ to measure the complexity of your models and discuss how this concept can be applied to identify life forms beyond Earth.
Prepare a presentation on how Assembly Theory could be used in the search for extraterrestrial life. Focus on the potential findings from analyzing meteorites and other celestial samples, and discuss the implications for our understanding of life in the universe.
Write a short story or essay that imagines the journey from inanimate matter to living organisms. Incorporate scientific concepts such as Assembly Theory and the principles of existence and copying, and explore the philosophical implications of these ideas.
Join a group discussion to explore the concepts of existence and copying as the essence of life. Reflect on how these principles manifest in various life forms and consider their significance in the broader context of biological evolution and survival.
Life – The condition that distinguishes living organisms from inorganic matter, characterized by growth, reproduction, and the ability to respond to stimuli. – The study of life encompasses various biological processes that sustain organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Biology – The scientific study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. – In biology, researchers examine the cellular processes that underpin the life cycles of different species.
Chemistry – The branch of science concerned with the properties, composition, and behavior of matter. – Understanding chemistry is crucial for analyzing the molecular interactions that occur within biological systems.
Evolution – The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of the earth. – Evolution explains the genetic variations observed in populations over successive generations.
Molecules – Groups of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. – The structure of molecules determines their function and reactivity in biological systems.
Atoms – The basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons. – Atoms combine in specific ways to form the molecules that are essential for life.
Complexity – The state or quality of being intricate or complicated, often referring to the elaborate structures and processes in biological systems. – The complexity of cellular mechanisms reflects the sophisticated nature of life at the molecular level.
Existence – The state of being, especially with reference to living organisms and their presence in the biological world. – The existence of diverse life forms is a testament to the adaptability and resilience of organisms through evolutionary processes.
Selection – The process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population due to the reproductive success of organisms with those traits. – Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, driving the adaptation of species to their environments.
Organisms – Individual living entities that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis. – Organisms interact with each other and their surroundings, forming complex ecosystems.
