ChemiCat
Posts: 532
Joined: Nov. 2013
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| Quote | The only single molecule system that qualified as intelligent is self-replicating RNA. From theory:
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Unimolecular Intelligence
Clues to the origin of intelligent living things are found in rudimentary molecular systems such as self-replicating RNA. Since these are single macromolecules that can self-learn they are more precisely examples of “Unimolecular Intelligence”, as opposed to “Molecular Intelligence”, which may contain millions of molecules all working together as one.
REQUIREMENT #1 of 4 - SOMETHING TO CONTROL
The catalytic (chemically reacts with other molecules without itself changing to a new molecular species) ability of ribonucleotide (A,G,C,U) bases combine to form useful molecular machinery. Where properly combined into strands 100 or more bases in length they become a rapidly moving molecule that can control/catalyze other molecules in their environment, and each other, including to induce each others replication. Unlike RNA that exists inside a protective cell membrane these RNA's are directly influenced by the planetary environment, which they are free to control. Modern examples include viruses that over time learned how to control the internal environment of their host to self-assemble protective shells with sensors on the outside for detecting suitable host cells to enter and control. After invading the cells other sensors detect when conditions are right to simultaneously reproduce, thereby overwhelming the immune system of their hosts, which would otherwise detect then destroy them.
REQUIREMENT #2 of 4 – SENSORY ADDRESSED MEMORY
The ribonucleotide sequences are a memory system that also acts as its body. On it are molecular sites, which interact with nearby molecules to produce repeatable movements/actions. Its shape can include hairpin bends that are sensitive to the chemical environment, which in turn changes the action responses of its code/memory to nearby molecules, and to each other. Their activity also changes their molecular environment, much the same way as living things have over time changed the atmosphere and chemistry of our planet. This suggests self-organization of a complex collective molecular self-learning system involving diverse molecular systems, which both compete with and sustain each other.
REQUIREMENT #3 of 4 - CONFIDENCE TO GAUGE FAILURE AND SUCCESS
Molecular species that can successfully coexist with others in the population and the environmental changes they cause are successful responses, which stay in the collective memory. Molecular species that fail are soon replaced by another more successful (best guess) response. The overall process must result in collective actions/reactions that efficiently use and recycle the resources available to multiple molecular species, or else there is an unsustainable chemical reaction, which ends when the reactants have consumed each other, resulting in an environmental crash.
REQUIREMENT #4 of 4 - ABILITY TO TAKE A GUESS
For such a rapidly replicating molecule RNA editing type mechanisms can become a significant source of guesses. Also, molecular affinity, which is in part measured by the hydropathy index, will favor assimilation of complimentary ribonucleotides. Where these are in limited abundance the next best fitting molecule may replace them, or cause other changes to its structure, which may work as well or better, for their descendants. This makes it possible for these complex molecules to automatically try something new, when necessary.
Quote (Quack @ Aug. 14 2015,03:36)
Is there a demarcation somewhere, between intelligent and non-intelligent molecules? If so, what's the difference?
The above shows how to properly qualify a system like this as intelligent. All four requirements must be met. Other sections of the theory go into more detail.
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What is the source of "molecular intelligence"? It is a fact that molecules are different from atoms and have properties not inherited from the atoms they are made of. So what?
There is no "source" the molecule itself is through trial and error able to "learn", which in turn makes it possible for them to "evolve". That is what makes self-replicating RNA's of such great interest to origin of life scientists.
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Look! A Hall of Mirrors, I wonder what it's like. WOW! So much distortion it hurts the eyes!
"The Mirror of Chemistry" It turns it round by 180degs and stands it on its head! "The Mirror of Physics", Clever! There's nothing here! "The Mirror of Biochemistry", Distorted out of all recognition!
Has anybody ever seen Byers and Gaulin in the same room? Just wondering.
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