The cell, when viewed on a molecular level, is a self-replicating machine. DNA replicates itself in the complex chemical environment of the cell. A ribosome is used to link together amino acids to form polypeptides, or proteins. An interesting irony is that the ribosome itself contains some proteins as vital components. How then were the first proteins (and ribosomes) produced?

It's an interesting mystery. Nanotechnology is being inspired by this molecular biology and the natural self-replicating systems. The problem is, a system must be powerful enough before it can support self-replication. The cell is complicated enough a system, supporting the replication of ribosomes and DNA (and other proteins).

I recommend that you read Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter. Chapter XVI discusses this rather well, and the entire book is filled with phenomenal mathematical and scientific insights, particularly those germane to artificial intelligence.

Permalink | Report