Mechanisms of life

Interactions between macromolecules (protems, lipids, DNA,.. . ) or biological structures (e.g. membranes) are considerably more complex than the interactions described m the two preceding paragraphs. The sum of all biological mteractions at the molecular level is the basis of the complex mechanisms of life. In addition to computer simulations, direct force measurements [98], especially the surface forces apparatus, represent an invaluable tool to help understand the molecular interactions in biological systems. 

The mechanisms of life are revealed when we understand their molecular details. Moreover, molecular understanding of biology plays the major role in... 

In contrast to tetracoordinate phosphorus compounds which are involved in the mechanism of life or are related to biophosphates, tricoordinate phosphorus compounds have not been found in nature. However, their importance in the synthesis of biophosphates is very great. The introduction of P compounds as phosphitylation reagents was a turning point in synthetic biophosphate chemistry. 

No longer than twenty years ago, self-replication was one of those mysterious processes considered the monopoly of living matter. The fact that we are now able to achieve it in the laboratory means that we understand self-replication and selfreproduction in terms of simple rules of chemistry. In turn, this means that we have proceeded a step further in the understanding of the mechanisms of life. Of course, this is just one step, but it shows that conceptual and experimental progress in the ladder of the transition to life is advancing. 

Self-reproduction of micelles and vesicles models for the mechanisms of life from the perspective of compartmented chemistry. Adv. Chem. Phys., 92,425-38. 

Ernest Solvay regarded science, in its various forms, as the key that would open the door to a richer life for man. He had remarked once Among the new paths of science, I undertook to follow three directions three problems which, in my view, form a certain unity. First, a general problem of physics—the constitution of matter in time and space then a problem of physiology—the mechanism of life from its most humble manifestations up to the phenomena of thought processes and finally, the third one, a problem complementary to the first two—the evolution of the individual and that of social groups. ... 

Many gerontologists have postulated hypotheses to try and explain the mechanism of life prolongation and the antiaging actions of CR. However,... 

The investigation of the chemical and physicochemical properties of purine tautomers, as well as their possible biological role, is still in a primitive form. Further developments are desirable and may have far reaching consequences for our understanding of the mechanism of life processes. 

He had an excellent reason for declining the question it was completely beyond nineteenth-century science. How the eye works—that is, what happens when a photon of light first hits the retina—simply could not be answered at that time. As a matter of fact, no question about the underlying mechanisms of life could be answered. How did animal muscles cause movement How did photosynthesis work How was energy extracted from food How did the body fight infection No one knew. 

A recurrent theme in the history of bioenergetics is vitalism, i.e., the reference to vital forces , beyond the reach of physics and chemistry, to explain the mechanism of life processes. For about half a century following Scheele s first isolation of... 

Its methods and findings unify our knowledge of the mechanisms of life biochemical theories approach questions of the origins of life on earth biochemical techniques help to explain the interactions of viruses with their hosts, and to tailor-make the vital drugs in the pharmacologists armoury. 

In that spirit, let us examine some very basic science concerning the nature and behavior of the molecules that are the actors in all of life. From whatever we touch to the mechanisms of life itself, we deal with molecules and molecular processes. Figure 1 displays molecules, molecular complexes, and molecular systems of our world, in the order of their molecular weights (M.W.). From left to right we have molecular entities of ever increasing sizes and complexities. 

We have made direct optical observations and measmements of microbial activity at various pressures. As in the above experiments, we have used diamond anvil cells in combination with micro-Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy to directly monitor their viability and metabolic activity at extreme conditions [58]. The following is an overview of these direct observations of microbial activity under extreme pressures and their implications for adaptive mechanisms of life (as we know it) on this planet. 

For me there is no doubt that to fuUy understand the possibihties of stem cells, the mechanism of ceU differentiation and hence a basic mechanism of life, we must not concentrate on adult stem cells only, but rather include embryonic stem cells, too. 

This huge investment of skills and technologies is indicative of the paramount importance of X-ray crystallography in unravelling the detailed mechanisms of life. 

New evidence of evolution is presently available.Evolution of viruses as complex genomes " and the development of nucleoprotein into RNA and after that to DNA are two hypotheses considered very important for understanding the mechanisms of life. It has been stated that alkaloids can influence DNA and RNA as well as protein synthesis in general, because their... 

Both the freezing point and the boiling point of water are much higher than those expected by comparison with related substances (Section 9-6). The nature of the mechanisms of life are such that life would probably be impossible without these unusual properties of water. 

I know that Severo Ochoa is a firm believer in the universality of the basic mechanisms of life phenomena, and Sir Hans Krebs once commented on the essential simplicity of the mechanisms involved in the energy transformations in the living matter by quoting Newton s statement Natura enim simplex est . ... 

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