Biology - Molecular Theory of the Living Cell - page 110

Table 4.7 Two types of quantizations in nature
Planck quantization Boltzmann quantization

1. Symbol of quantum h k

2. Unit of quantization erg s erg/degree

10 27 10 16

3. Numerical value 6.625 1.381

4. Name of quantum (dimensions) action (energy time) entropy (energy/temperature)

5. Final cause for (or is prelude to) Physical organization Biological organization

6. Analogy Atoms Quantum dots (?)

Fig. 4.9 A schematic
representation of the
“quantization before
organization” postulate

Planck Quantization

Physical Organization/Evolution

Boltzmann Quantization

Biological Organization/Evolution

Life

Statement 4.38 may be referred to as the “Quantization before organization
(QBO) hypothesis” (Fig. 4.9 ).
Two recent developments may support the QBO hypothesis:

1. Gilson and McPherson (2011) demonstrate that Boltzmann's constant k
( 10 16 erg K 1 ) is quantized in terms of cosmological scale

quantities according to the formula k

¼ 1.3805

10 13 , thus indicating
that the concept of quantization first introduced by Plank in 1900 need not
be confined to the microscopic scale characterized by the Planck constant,
h(

¼ N B k q where N B ¼

10 7 ergs).
2. When 10 2 -10 3 atoms form a nanoparticle (nano

¼ 6.6252

10 9 m), they can exhibit
electronic properties that are intermediate between those of individual atoms
(typically 10 10 m in diameter) and those of bulk semiconductors ( http://en.
wikipeia.org/wiki/Quantum dot). Such nanoparticles are called “quantum dots”
because they possess new quantum mechanical properties that are determined by
the shape and the size of the particle as a whole. For example, as the size of the
quantum dot increases, the frequencies of light emitted after excitation of the dot
decreases leading to a shift of color from blue to red. This indicates that the
electronic energy levels of the quantum dot are quantized in a new way reflecting
the shape and size of the quantum dot unlike the quantization of individual atoms
whose energy levels are largely determined by the internal structure of atoms.
For this reason, quantum dots are also called “artificial atoms.”

¼