Show Behavior of Living Cells Is Linked to Mathematics Chicago The mysteries of protoplasm the secrets of life seem far removed from the cold abstractions of mathematics In Inthe Inthe Inthe the popular mind biology and mathematical physics are about as far apart as any two vo sciences could be But scientists are not letting them remain so One of those who by means of mathematics are increasing increasing increasing ing our knowledge of living matter is Dr N. N of the University University University Uni Uni- of Chicago here One of the foremost characteristics tics of ofa a a living thing is its ability to reproduce its own kind In the simplest forms of life life life-in in organisms consisting of a single cell this cell this is accomplished merely by the cell dividing 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 ones and the process begins over One question which scientists must eventually settle is this How completely can the behavior of Jiving living living liv liv- ing cells be explained by our knowledge knowledge knowledge knowl knowl- edge of physics and chemistry Proved by Mathematics In his work on this vital question Dr has not used test tubes nor has he studied cells under under under un un- un- un der a microscope His only instrument instrument instrument ment has been powered high-powered mathe mathe- matics Among his many contributions contributions contributions so far has been the mathematical mathematical mathematical mathe mathe- proof that certain tiny droplets droplets droplets drop drop- lets of non living matter will absorb absorb absorb ab ab- ab- ab food from a sol solution tion will grow until a certain size is reached and then will divide And the size I to which they grow is S' S ne nearly the same as that of living cells While no forces or influences other than the well-recognized well ones of physics and chemistry are in invoked invoked in- in yoked his non-living non paper and pencil models show remarkable resemblance resemblance resemblance re re- re- re semblance to living cells A further resemblance is their inability inability inability in in- ability to form spontaneously They must either be created by some ome outside outside out out- side agency or else be natural offspring offspring off off- ofT off spring of their parents |