Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
The influence of other, less famous physicists has nevertheless been
even more important.
Molecular biology was initiated by a group of researchers led by
Max Delbrück (1906-1981). After working in the field of quantum
physics he sought to understand the molecular foundations of
heredity. To do this, he studied the multiplication of a bacterial
virus and received the Nobel Prize in 1969. Schrödinger, also a
physicist, played a major role in forming the concepts of molecular
biology. While he is indeed famous above all for his work in quan-
tum physics, he was also very interested in biology, which led to his
writing a little theoretical topic entitled
What is Life
?, in which he
analysed the problems of biology in an original way, basing his
thoughts on certain key ideas that had been suggested by Max
Delbrück (Schrödinger, 1944). This topic had an enormous influence
on the founders of molecular biology.
Michel Morange has already presented a detailed study of the
history of molecular biology highlighting its techniques and key
concepts (Morange, 1994). We are only interested here in briefly
reviewing some of these concepts, those that pose a problem for
understanding ontogenesis today in the light of the most recent
research results (chapter 4). Our starting point is Schrödinger's
analysis.
3.1
Order from order
In
What is Life?
Schrödinger considers the origin of order in bio-
logical systems and wonders whether the laws of physics can
account for it. The answer he produces is negative and he ends his
reflection by asserting that there is indeed a difference between the
laws of physics and those of biology.
He begins by explaining that “
Physical laws rest on atomic sta-
tistics and are therefore only approximate
” (WIL p.10). For, in fact:
“We know all atoms to perform all the time a completely disorderly
heat motion, which, so to speak, opposes itself to their orderly
behaviour and does not allow the events that happen between
