“For all its familiarity, life is an elusive concept that is hard to define, much

less explain.”

Robert M. Hazen (http://torrents.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1279140 )

However, the author believes that the phenomenon of life is easy to define and
explain from a position of hierarchical thermodynamics.

http://www.eoht.info/page/Hierarchical+thermodynamics

Introduction

The term ‘life’ is modern conception, an etymological adaption of the Old English
libban ‘to live’ from before the 12th century. Into the late 18th century, with
the advances in the sciences of chemistry and biology, life came to be divided
generally into three mutually exclusive categories: non-life, plant-life, and
animal-life. With the 1859 publication of the Origin of Species, by English
naturalist Charles Darwin, a more unified view soon emerged [11]. In particular,
in an 1871 letter written by Darwin to English botanist Joseph Hooker, Darwin made
the suggestion that the original spark of life may have begun in a: “warm little
pond, with all sorts of ammonia and phosphoric salts, lights, heat, electricity,
etc. present, so that a protein compound was chemically formed ready to undergo
still more complex changes."

This passage set forth a great divide, in the minds of the scientific community,
that life is a result of the interaction of heat with chemical systems and that a
certain description of this ‘heat interaction’ with systems of atoms can be found
so as to exactly quantify the term life [12-15].

Although this assumed description is yet to be agreed upon, the concept of

‘biological life’ or simply ‘life’ is central in all divisions of the biological
and related sciences [9]. Terminological examples include: life, lifetime, healthy
life, lifespan, lifestyle, etc., the use of which can be found predominately in
the science of gerontology, the comprehensive study of aging and the problems of
the aged. The term ‘life’, however, is sufficiently ambiguous, since there does
not exist a strict universal determination of this concept [9, 10-15].

The definition of the mentioned term, from the position of the general laws of
nature [1-4] and in view of the motive power of heat in the development of
biological material, would allow from this united position, a more in depth study
of the great diversity of biological systems and phenomena. This work is dedicated
to the attempt to formulate an idea about life as bio-physico-chemical phenomenon,
taking into account the results the thermodynamic theory of evolution and aging of
living systems, whose bases were placed by the author, beginning in the late
1970's. [2-5].

Variety of the life

There are many different determinations of the phenomenon of biological life as
one of the forms of existence of material. The number of these determinations uses
the data about the chemical composition of living objects, the exchange of
substances of living material, storage and transmission of genetic information and
different signs, which characterize the phenomenon of life [9-11].

There are sufficiently many such ‘signs’. One will sometimes note that none of the
existing determinations of life are universal. It is possible, however, to give
the determination of life on the basis of the general laws of nature, relying on
contemporary achievements in the region of exact science: physics, physical
chemistry, and physical chemistry biology.

If one takes into account, that life, as an inherent component of the heat-driven
evolution of material, then it is expedient to determine the phenomenon of life
from the position of what is called the ‘motive power’ of the evolution of
material systems. The term motive power, from French physicist Sadi Carnot’s 1824
On the Motive Power of Fire, represents the mechanical effect of heat or the
useful movement driven by such interaction [12].

This motive power, in the systems-within-systems point of view, seems to act as a

‘double force’. The motive power determines the overall directivity of processes
in the system, such as in the total evolution the biosphere, movements induced due
to the inflow of energy into the system from without, and the action of individual
multi-directional spontaneous processes, which take place strictly in locations
(or subsystems) of the greater system itself [2, 6-8]. The processes indicated are
observed at the nano-level (atomic level) and the highest hierarchical levels
(social levels) of the organization of living material.

Thus, taking into those laws of science, which determine the laws of nature, in
particular the laws of thermodynamics, life can be characterized as a
manifestation of one of the forms of existence of material, inherent with the
rotation of the substance, which takes place under the action of energy flow,
predominately solar energy.

The motive force of the non-spontaneous processes of the cycle of matter, first of
all, is connected with the Sun.

In the early stages of this dynamic life manifestation, smaller atomic structures
and systems interaction, under the action external energy input, in such a manner
that the synthesis of larger structure results, from higher stable chemical
components. An example this process being photosynthesis, in which the larger
structure glucose C6H12O6 is synthesized from the more energetically stable
components of carbon dioxide C02 and water H2O. However, it should be remembered
that in addition to solar power, there are other sources of energy.

In this view, life is a phenomenon caused by the synthesis of comparatively low-

stability chemical substances. It is characterized by the appearance, under the
effect of the physical factors, such as pressure, temperature, and volume, etc.,
and by the action of thermodynamic forces, particularly enthalpy (reaction heat)
and entropy (dissipation heat), of poly-hierarchical structures, which consist of
diverse natural organic and inorganic compounds, such as water.
This view substantiates, in contrast to the older Prigoginean view of life as a
far-from-equilibrium dissipative structure, that real living structures appear and
function, in essence, under periodic close-to-equilibrium conditions, a state
which exists inside most living objects. Moreover, life is possible only in the
specific ranges of temperatures, pressures and other thermodynamic environmental
parameters. Life, subsequently, appears and is developed in the close-to-
equilibrium range and can be viewed as dynamic molecular structures, considered as
quasi-closed systems in the thermodynamic sense, which form part of natural open
systems [2-6].

In addition, in specific ranges of changes in the thermodynamic and physical

environmental parameters, and also under the effect of various mechanical factors,
notable gravitational effects, e.g. Coriolis “force”, the formation of chiral
molecular and supramolecular formations actuates. One should emphasize that
organisms, populations and other higher structures are also complex supramolecular
formations; the ‘human molecule’ (human being), and its social collectives, for
instance, are the molecular subjects of study in the science of human chemistry
[12-14]. Environmental conditions force the exchange of substances for all
hierarchical levels of living material, which contributes to appearance and
retention of the living beings. In the compressed general formulation, life can be
defined as the phenomenon of existence of the energy-dependent dynamic hierarchic
structures, mandated by thermodynamics.

Life or its phenomenon is thus claimed by kinetic hierarchical thermodynamics,

which assumes that the functions of state of evolving systems being investigated
make real physical sense. In other words, from the position of thermodynamics,
most living systems exist in their close to equilibrium range of evolutionary
development and their conversion in time can be characterized with the aid of the
appropriate functions of state of the formation of these systems. It is for these
purposes convenient to use the specific Gibbs free energy function, which is the
thermodynamic potential unique to closed isothermal-isobaric systems, in the
determination of the formation of living near-equilibrium systems.

In this logic, living systems, using a comparative methodology from chemistry, can
be viewed as types of growing or fanning, beginning at the nano-level, poly-
hierarchical ‘chromatographic columns’, in the sense that components that enter
and evolve in a system, moving through hierarchies, migrate along paths of minimum
free energy towards the most stable bonding or reaction sites.

An example of the ‘chromatographic column’ model is a social hierarchy in which

the ‘locality’ of the population, where the selection of the most stable organism
structures is observed. This selection is initiated by physical factors by means
of interaction of the supramolecular receptors of organism, which receive the
inflows of substance and energy on the nano and macrolevels. As is well known,
similar living columns are the quasi-equilibrium quasi-closed systems. The
laboratory (inanimate) columns, widely utilized in the molecular equilibrium
(quasi-equilibrium) chromatography, are similar systems. Thus, the inflow of
energy from without, and also the thermodynamics of the processes of the formation
of close to the equilibrium hierarchical systems, determines appearance and
maintenance of life. Chromatographic life, similar to our life, can appear only
under specific conditions on the celestial bodies. However, the separate molecular
and supramolecular components of living systems can appear and exist in diverse
conditions, such as, for example, under the space conditions.

Functions of state and directivity of processes, according to the general laws of

nature, which control the processes of development and self-reproduction of living
systems, significantly simplifies because of the known ideas about the functions
of state. Functions of state have the total differentials and unambiguously are
characterized systems at the assigned points of space with the constancy of the
known physical and thermodynamic parameters. The use of functions of state opens
the way of realizing the unity of evolutionary development and conversion of
material on a strict physical basis [2-14].

With the inflow of energy into the system a change of the functions of state
characterizes the transformation of this system as a result of the processes.
Functions of state also make it possible to establish the direction of spontaneous
processes and to determine the degree of their perfection inside strictly the
system itself. Changes in the specific functions of state in the characterization
of the formations of systems, characterizes changes in the thermodynamic stability
of these systems. Thus, change in the time of the specific value of the Gibbs
function of the formation of a living system, as a result of a variation in its
chemical composition, is connected with the thermodynamic mechanism of a change in
the structural stability of this system.

The mentioned stability approach to the process of directional maximum sublimity,

which corresponds to the minimum value of the Gibbs function of the formation of
the mentioned supramolecular system. With the reaching of this maximum value of
stability the process of the vital activity of the matching system completes, and
the mentioned system degrades with the formation of other chemical substances
comparatively stable, under the environmental conditions, substances newly
included in rotation.

The thermodynamic description of the rotation of substance for the thermodynamic

description of the processes of the appearance of life and its evolution, as has
already been indicated, is convenient to use the Gibbs function (free energy of
Gibbs) the formation of the system, whose specific value in the ontogenesis and
the phylogenies (evolution) to approach the minimum. Aging organisms and evolution
of living systems flow in accordance with the law of temporary hierarchies and the
principle of the stability of substance. The thermodynamic mechanisms, i.e.
mechanisms of a change of the functions of state of systems in time, of
evolutionary transformations in the living systems, and in the rotation of
substance as a whole, are examined in the numerous publications of the author [2-
8].

Diagrams of the rotation of substance, from the position of hierarchical

thermodynamics [2, 10], are represented various publications. The condition for
existences of life must correspond to temperatures, pressures and other physical
chemistry environmental parameters, when the strength of chemical bonds in the
molecules of the metabolites, being of comparatively high, however, is
nevertheless commensurate with the strength of the connections, which appear with
the formation of the structures of organisms.

Supramolecular thermodynamics or nano-thermodynamics, according to the principle

of the stability of substance, makes the selection of comparatively chemically
low-stability molecules with the formation of the supramolecular structures, which
are united in organelle, cell, organisms, population, etc As has already been
indicated, living systems are the growing fanned chromatographic columns, in cells
of which undergo the chemical transformations of molecule, which enter the
organism. The part of the substance is accumulated in the organism, which is
accompanied by its increase. However, the majority of the products of vital
activity is derived from the organism. Those removed from molecular system of
metabolites are replaced by new similar molecules, which contributes to retention,
although transformed, formations in the living systems.

This article is made to suggest that life can exist under the conditions of our
planet, which exists when three states of aggregation of water are present. On
other planets are possible other forms of life, in essence, primitive. It is
possible that a similar primitive life can exist on liquid hydrocarbons or other
substances, where it can be claimed by hierarchical thermodynamics.

Conclusions

The phenomenon of life is easy to realize within the framework the general laws of
nature without the use of Prigoginean ‘non-equilibrium thermodynamics’
descriptions of systems at great distances from equilibrium states, which cannot
be, in principle, described by means of the functions of state. Life can be
studied without the use of ideas of synergetics, nonphysical mathematical models,
and known, physically unjustified, eclectic concepts.

Life, then, is the phenomenon of existence of the varied energy-dependent

molecular dynamic near equilibrium structures, claimed by hierarchical
thermodynamics. Life, in various forms of its manifestation, is an inherent
component of the evolutionary development of material.

The author expresses the deep gratitude to professor V. N. Anisimov, Libb Thims
and K. V. Sudakov for the councils and the support.

Literature

1. Gibbs J.W. The Collected Works of J. Willard Gibbs: Thermodynamics.- New York :
Longmans, Green and Co., 1928.-Vol. 1.- P. 55-349.

2. Gladyshev G.P. On the Thermodynamics of Biological Evolution // Journal of

Theoretical Biology.- 1978.- Vol. 75.- Issue 4.- Dec 21.-P. 425-441.

3. Gladyshev Georgi P. Thermodynamics Theory of the Evolution of Living Beings.-

Commack, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.- 1997.- 142 P.

4. Gladyshev G.P. Supramolecular thermodynamics is a key to understanding

phenomenon of life. What is Life from a Physical Chemist’s Viewpoint.- Second
Ed., Regular and Chaotic Dynamics.- Moscow-Izhevsk.- 2003.- 144 P. (In Russian).

5. Gladyshev G.P. The Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Evolution of Living
Systems.- Journal of Human Thermodynamics.- 2005.- Vol. 1.- Issue 7. – December.-
P. 68-81. Georgi Gladyshev http://www.humanthermodynamics.com/JHT/Second-Law-
Systems-Evolution.html

6. Gladyshev G.P. Life is inalienable component of matter evolution // Adv.

Gerontol. – 2005.- Vol.16. – P.21-29.Gladyshev Georgi P. The Principle of
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// Int. J. Mol. Sci.- 2006.- 7.- P. 98-110.

7. Gladyshev Georgi P. The invited speaker and guest. Lecture. The thermodynamic
theory of aging in action: medical nutrition recommendations for patients of any
age. Anti-Aging Therapeutics.- Ed. Dr. R. Klats and Dr. R. Goldman,- Volume IX,
American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M),- 2007, Chicago,- IL, USA.- Chapter
20, P. 135-152. Copyright © 2007.- American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.- ISBN
978-1-934715-00-0 (print & CD-ROM)
http://www.worldhealth.net/p/catalog-product-
detail;catalogproducts,0e652ed1bdc93000d4acdf76487e2542.html

8. Gladyshev G.P. Leonhard Euler’s methods and ideas live in the thermodynamic
hierarchical theory of biological evolution // International Journal of Applied
Mathematics and Statistics - (IJAMAS).- 2007.- Vol. 11.- N07, November.- P. 52-68.
http://www.ceser.res.in/ijamas.html http://www.ceser.res.in/ijamas/cont/2007/ams-
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9. Green N., Stout G., Taylor D. (Ed. Soper R.).- 1993.- Biological Science.-
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10. Hierarchical thermodynamics

http://www.eoht.info/page/Hierarchical+thermodynamics

11. Life http://www.eoht.info/page/Life http://www.eoht.info/page/Aging

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life http://www.bazaluk.com/conference/files/33.doc

12. Thims Libb. The Human Molecule.- Morrisville, NC: LuLu.- 2008.- 120 P.
13. Thims Libb. Human Chemistry.- Volume 1.- Morrisville, NC: LuLu.-
2007.- 392P.

14. Thims Libb. Human Chemistry.- Volume 2.- Morrisville, NC: LuLu.- 2007.- 438P.

15. Thims Libb. Life. http://www.eoht.info/page/Life The Encyclopedia of Human

Thermodynamics (EoHT) ; Molecular Evolution Table - Institute of Human
Thermodynamics .

My Institute: http://www.endeav.org./?id=48&lng=eng
On my works: http://www.eoht.info/search/everything/Georgi?contains=Georgi

Additional articles:

Georgi Gladyshev. Thermodynamic theory answers the questions: What is driving

force behind evolution, and why we age?
http://www.endeav.org/evolut/text/tstwdwa2001/
http://www.endeav.org./?id=36&lng=eng

Gladyshev G.P. Thermodynamic self-organization as a mechanism of hierarchical

structures formation of biological matter // Progress in Reaction Kinetics and
Mechanism (An International Review Journal. UK, USA). - 2003. - V. 28. – No. 2 -
P. 157-188.

Robert M. Hazen (http://torrents.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1279140 )