Shannon's information, Bernal's biopoiesis and Bernoulli distribution as pillars for building a definition of life

J Theor Biol. 2019 Jun 7:470:101-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.03.009. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Abstract

The quest for defining life has lasted since the beginning of modern science. During the last century, we have reached a lot of milestones toward the understanding of life and its molecular basis. Also, as living creatures, we have imprinted awareness about what is life and what is not. It seems like we have everything we need to formulate the definition of life. If so, why has one, that would satisfy everybody, not yet been announced? What is holding us back? Although we seem to know what life is, our understanding of its edges is still blurry. Therefore, author analyses Bernal's stages of biopoiesis and proposes features with Bernoulli distribution so the classification can be as clear-cut as it is possible. Subsequently, the definition of the phenomenon of life based on Shannon's Information Theory is being proposed as a Continuum of the Self-Maintainable Information; and the definition of the living entity as a Distinct Element of that Continuum.

Keywords: Astrobiology; Biopoiesis; Cellular life; Definition of life; Detection of life; Evolution; Information; Origin of life; Virus.

MeSH terms

  • Binomial Distribution
  • Models, Biological*
  • Origin of Life*