The Fundamental Difference In Structure

How can the events in space and time which take place within the spatial boundary of a living organism be accounted for by physics and chemistry?

The following differ fundamentally from all those arrangements of atoms which physicists and chemists have studied:

• the arrangements of the atoms in the vital parts of an organism
• the interplay of these arrangements

The structure of the vital parts of living organisms differs so entirely statistically from that of matter.

The non-physicist cannot be expected to grasp the difference in ‘statistical structure’ stated in terms so abstract.

The most essential part of a living cell is the chromosome fibre called an aperiodic crystal.

Physics only deals with periodic crystals.

• Compared with the aperiodic crystal, they are plain and dull.

• Periodic crystals are like ordinary wallpaper.
• Aperiodic crystals are like a masterpiece of embroidery like Raphael tapestry which has no dull repetition, but an elaborate, coherent, meaningful design traced by the great master.

In calling the periodic crystal one of the most complex objects of his research, I had in mind the physicist proper.

Organic chemistry:

• investigates more and more complicated molecules, has come very much nearer to that
• comes nearer and nearer to the ‘aperiodic crystal’ which I think carries life.

This is why the organic chemist has already made large contributions to the problem of life, whereas the physicist has made next to none.

Why Are Atoms So Small?

Ask the naive phycisist: Why are atoms so small?

Atomic physics uses the Angstrom (A) which is 0.0000000001 metre. Atomic diameters range between I and 2A.