Talk:Precambrian/Life origins

Consideration on certain notion of life ( Faustino Núñez Hernández )

--Faustnh 08:30, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

( I did this proposal on Wikipedia's Article on Life , on Discussion section )

Life can be understood as processes of formation of groups or sets , and different succesive layers or levels of such groups or sets :

> Atoms layer . Atoms are necessary for life , but not sufficent . Sole atoms are not living beings .

> The layer of groups or sets of atoms , in the form of molecules . Molecules are also necessary for life , but not sufficient . Sole molecules are not living beings .

> The layer or level of groups or sets of molecules , in the form of molecular or chemical reaction . Dynamic interactions or reactions among molecules , are also necessary for life , but not sufficient . Sole molecular or chemical reactions are not biological processes .

> The layer or level of groups or sets of molecular or chemical reactions , in the form of interactions or interdependences , among molecular interactions or reactions themselves . That is , there are different and separated molecular or chemical reactions , and these reactions , in turn , interact among them and influence each other , in a sort of inputs \ outputs trade chain . It's necessary for life , but not sufficient : the fact of these reactions of reactions ( or " hyper-reactions " ) of molecules does not constitute by itself a biological process . ( For example , existence of herbivorous depends on existence of plants ; existence of carnivorous depends on existence of herbivorous ; existence of many microorganisms depends on existence of carnivorous , as well as existence of herbivorous and plants ; and the existence of plants greatly depends on existence of those microorganisms ; but microorganisms , plants , herbivorous and carnivorous do not constitute together a living individual ) .

> The specific layer of life : life emerges when a closed , circular or cyclical set or system of interdependent and interacting molecular or chemical reactions , reaches by itself , or as an own endogenous result , a state of having own delimitation or demarcation ( as if the system of reactions tried to " protect " , " separate " or " isolate " itself from the environment ) and the subsequent state of having cohesion , durability and persistence .

When we have several individualized autonomous living organisms , they start to interact among them again . And the pattern starts to repeat . So it seems as if we could distinguish or consider three main general recurrent phases :

> 1º ) The phase of originary formation of interactions , interrelations or interdependences , among differentiated individuals .

> 2º ) The phase of consolidation of those interactions , interrelations or interdependences , and the subsequent formation of a new single individual or hyper-individual .

> 3º ) The phase of (new hyper-)individuals differentiation , diversification or specialization , so the first phase can take place again ( we could include or classify reproduction and evolution here ) .

Regards .

( Posted on my blog ) .