Abstract
With the prevalent conception of self-replication (SR, a hallmark of living systems) as a non-equilibrium process subject to thermodynamic laws, a complementary approach derives the low energy quantum states arising from a Hamiltonian that appears to be specific for bio-systems by its containing some strongly binding terms. The bindings attract properties of the template (T) and the reactants to form a replicate (R). The criterion for SR that emerges from the theory is that second order (bi-linear) interaction terms between degrees of motion of T-R and the thermal bath dominate negatively over a linear self-energy term, and thereby provide a binding between the attributes of T and R. The formalism (reminiscent of the Kramers-Anderson mechanism for superexchange) is from first principles, but hinges on a drastic simplification by modelling the T, R and bath variables on interacting qubits and by congesting the attraction into a single (control) parameter. The development relies on further simplifying features, such as Random Phase Approximations and an Effective Hamiltonian formalism. The entropic balance to replication is considered and found to reside in the far surroundings.
Highlights
With the prevalent conception of self-replication (SR, a hallmark of living systems) as a non-equilibrium process subject to thermodynamic laws, a complementary approach derives the low energy quantum states arising from a Hamiltonian that appears to be specific for bio-systems by its containing some strongly binding terms
While addressing the subject with methods in physics, the inquiry takes us to Biology, and to a specific phenomenon of self-organization, namely, self-replication (SR) [6], existing in a large variety of biological entities and recognized as one of the main marks distinguishing animate from non-animate matter. (Though, there may be rare instances of SR in the inorganic world, but not as a cyclic process [10], or in auto-catalysis but lacking the specificity of SR [11].) Notably in Biology, SR occurs at enormously differing size scales, ranging from large animals to tiny biomolecules
The process of living systems with regard to their self-reproductive capacity has here been given a quantum description, differing from those current descriptions which present them as processes in a thermodynamically non-equilibrium setting
Summary
Closer to the approach here taken is the assertion made about 70 years earlier than that: “The living organism seems to be a macroscopic system which in part of its behaviout approaches to that purely mechanical (as contrasted with thermodyamic) conduct to which all systems tend, as the temperature approaches absolute zero ...” ([19], Chapter 6). It seems that we are at liberty, and not in conflict with the author, to qualify “mechanical” by quantum mechanical, as will be argued next. Derson’s mechanism for superexchange [20] [21], with the bath replacing the bridging anion and exploitation of the randomness of the former. [Note the “attractive coupling” expression (based there on third order perturbation) of Anderson following his Equation (19) in [21].]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
