Geometric code of life according to Vladimir Vernadsky

  • С. И. Малецкий Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science Russia, 630090, Novosibirsk. Lavrentieva av., 10

Abstract

The article discusses views of Vladimir Vernadsky on spatial-geometric nature of living and inert matter within biosphere-centric paradigm of life (BCPL). Following Louis Pasteur and Pierre Curie Vernadsky emphasized differences in geometric properties of living and inert matter on the Earth, pointing out that between living and inert substance there is no transition states. Geometric properties viewed as attributive appear to determine fundamental differences in the properties of living and inert matter. Vernadsky proposed to consider as universal attributes not only the physical and chemical properties of the substances, but also their geometric properties, indicating that the identity of the chemical composition of organic molecules is not crucial for identification of specific substances or natural strength of the body and their properties. Geometric structure of molecules, in our opinion, is the geometric code of life that defines functions of organic molecules, supramolecular structures and processes of morphogenesis. Initially the encoding role of nucleic acids is determined by the geometric structure of the molecules (the DNA double helix or geometric coding), and only secondarily the DNA code is due to the sequence of nucleotides (triplet code of nucleotide sequences - secondary or digital form of encoding). Spatial-geometric ideas for structure of living and inert matter of the planet were quite clearly articulated by Vernadsky in his numerous publications (1910 - 1940).

Key words: biosphere, biogeochemistry, space biogeochemistry, crystals, geometry, paradigm, symmetry, dissymmetry, space organization, biosphere-centric paradigm of life (BCPL).