Some Considerations on the Properties of the Living Systems

摘要

The present paper summarizes the Author's opinion concerning the problem of the possible use of quantum mechanics in describing a living system. The first remark is that a system containing a living being cannot be in a single quantum mechanically defined state. This raises the question if special laws independent of the laws of physics and chemistry are required to describe life:the discussion ends with the conclusion that for the moment we can only try to expand our pre¬sent system of physical concepts in order to obtain a description of the phenomena of life. Secondly, the limits that we encounter here in the use of conventional chemical concepts are put into evidence as well as the leading role of quantum mechanics. From this point of view, the cell reproduction and how this differs from the process considered by von Neumann are examined.