Question

in general bio 1, you learned that certain emergent properties are generally considered to be evidence that something is alive. First, explain what an emergent property is. second, describe what set ( or subset of emergent properties are usually ascribed to living things. Third, describe and explain what specific emergent properties were evident in the protobionts seen in Martin Hanczyc’s TED talk. Finally, explain specifically why you would or would not consider Hanczyc’s protobionts to be alive.

Answer 1

Emergent property: It is a property where a complex system has but the individual members do not have. For ex: Heart is made up of heart cells and these cells do not pump blood whereas the heart does. So the pumping done by heart is an emergent property.

A common emergent property is the population interdependence. Humans and ants are both independent but both of these species cannot survive on their own without depending on their own species. This is an emergent property ascribed to living things.

In the ted talk by Martin Hanczyc he exhibited protobionts that are chemically made. So these protobionts first combine and then split forming two protobionts A and B. The protobiontA vibrates and Protobiont B combines with others. So this is a prediction how life was created. This is an emergent property evident in protobionts where cells work together to create a massive organ or an individual.

I would not consider protobionts alive because these are laboratory created. Although they help to repair living architectures they do not have genetic material. Yet they absorb fuel and react to their environments. Genetic material is the main component of all the living things. So without this protobionts cannot be termed alive.