A model for a non-chemical form of life: crystalline physiology.
Abstract
A definition of fundamental living units is given according to which they are constituted by the material support of some ‘memory’ the latter is required
- to be stable, - to contain rich information, - to diffuse it into the surrounding medium. It is then shown that the complex dislocation networks encountered in crystals can in some cases follow these criteria and lead to a crystalline physiology. The places of possible occurrence in nature of this kind of physiology, terrestrial and extraterrestrial rocks, interplanetary dust, white dwarfs and neutron stars are then discussed.- Publication:
-
Origins of Life
- Pub Date:
- April 1977
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00930937
- Bibcode:
- 1977OrLi....8...33S
- Keywords:
-
- Miscellanea;
- Philosophical Aspects;
- Extraterrestrial Life