Transcript States of Matter

A Rhetorical Question
Q: What are the states of Matter?
A: Simple: Solid, Liquid and Gas.
Q: Is that all?
A: Well, if you insist I’ll add ‘Plasma’
Q: Haven’t you forgotten anything?
A: Well……., Uhm..
Q: And where do you include the organisms?
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Biological Systems
Traditionally, none of the well-recognized states of
matter includes the biosphere
Everyone would agree that they are more than just:
solid, liquid or gas,
 They are a form of matter that includes
all the other accepted categories and then…
Something else
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A Rhetorical Dialog
Q: Something else?
A(s): Ah yes: élan vital, spirit, soul etc..
Q: Well, not very convincing, are you?
A: To tell you the truth, nothing is missing
Q: Really?
A: Indeed!
Q: How so?
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Biological Systems
Occupy a different region of the space of physicochemical systems.
Characterized by:
1. Great internal physico- chemical
heterogeneity and complexity
2. Dynamic exchange with the surroundings
They are: internally heterogeneous open systems
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Biological Systems
Physico-Chemical Framework:
Dissipative Structures
(Landauer, 1961; I. Prigogine: 70’s
Dissipative Structures:
Structures maintained far from Thermodynamic
Equilibrium by the flows of matter and energy
from the surroundings.
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Biological Materials (The parts)
 Relatively simple components:
Polymers of smaller entities: amino acids, nucleotides,
sugars, small hetero-cyclic cofactors.
 Amazing in richness and versatility:
Structural, catalytic, information storage, self-assembly,
contraction.
 Intricate, Subtle Function and Design:
Minor structural changes could result in major
functional differences.
Environmentally friendly
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