Atoms in Living vs. Dead Cells: A Comparison

[Anonymous 69]

I want to know what is the difference in atoms when a cell is alive and after it is dead

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to the PF.

I want to know what is the difference in atoms when a cell is alive and after it is dead

(Thread moved from the Quantum Physics forum to the Biology forum)

What do you think the differences might be?

 

[Johan0001]

good question

 

[BillTre]

The difference is in the organization of the molecules which the atoms form, not in the atoms themselves.
The molecules themselves are not different, but they are part of larger structure (cells, unless you want to include viruses) that they are part of.

Although there is no commonly accepted definition of life, living things could be considered
self-sustaining, self replicating entities (when considered in the environment they are adapted to) that are capable of evolving by natural selection.
They use energy they obtain from their environment to maintain themselves and reproduce.

A technical comparison of this organization argument might be what is the difference between the atoms in a transistor in a functioning computer from those in:
a) a computer that is turned off
b) a computer that has been smashed to bits
c) a transistor that is just laying around on a lab bench

The atoms are part of larger entities that have properties based upon their higher level organization.
In all these cases, the atoms just do their atomistic things in the same way.

There are some older PF threads on definition of life and related subjects.
Some are listed here.