| Show Behavior of Living Cells Is Linked to Mathematics l Chicago Chicago Tire The mysteries of protoplasm the secrets of life seem eem far removed from the cold abstractions of mathematics In n the popular mind biology and mathematical physics are about as far apart as any two sciences could be Dut But scientists are not letting lelling them remain so One of those who by means of mathematics are Increasing increasing ing our knowledge of living matter matters is s Dr N N. of the University University Uni Unit of Chicago here One of the foremost characteristics characters characters- tics Ics of a living thing is its ability to o reproduce its Us own kind In the simplest forms of life life life-In in organisms consisting of a 11 single this cell cell this is accomplished merely by the cell ceU di dividing dividing di di- viding into two Food Is absorbed through the cell wall and presently when the individual has become quite grown up it splits into two little ittle ones and the process begins over One question which scientists must eventually settle is this How lIow completely can the behavior of living liv living Ing ing cells ceUs be explained by our knowl know edge edee of physics and chemistry I Proved by Mathematics In his work on this vital question Dr has not used test tubes lubes nor has bas he studied cells under under un der a microscope His only instrument ment has been powered high-powered mathe matics Among his many contributions so far has been the mathematical mathematical mathematical mathe mathe- proof that certain tiny droplets droplets drop drop- absorb ab sib lets of nonliving non matter maller will food from a solution will grow until a 0 certain size sire is reached and then will divide And the size to which they grow Is nearly the same as that of living cells ceUs While no forces or influences I Iother other than the well recognized recognized ones I of physics and chemistry are invoked in In- I and yoked his bis nonliving non paper pencil models show remarkable resemblance resemblance re reo semblance to living cells resemblance is their inability in in- A further ability to form spontaneously They outside outside out out- either be tie created by some must side agency or else be natural offspring oft off spring of their parents |
