If life happens in cells, how is life integrated throughout large organisms?

Описание: Life is defined by self-governing networks of molecules that change conformation cyclically, converting thermodynamic motion into directional work and structure. A spectrum of scale, from nanoscopic to macroscopic, involves a shift from intracellular thermodynamically driven processes (thermal agitation ultimately rooted in quantum phenomena) to intercellular bulk flows described by classical physics; from short-distance transport involving diffusion and cytoskeletal transport to long-distance pressure fluxes in hydraulic networks. A review of internal transport systems in macroscopic eukaryotes suggests that a key evolutionary step favoring large size and multicellularity involved exploiting molecular-scale stochasticity to generate organized bulk flows (e.g. motor proteins collectively generating mechanical pressures in metazoan tissues such as cardiac muscle; within tracheophytes, active and passive phloem loading/unloading inducing pressure gradients, and active regulation enabling passive xylem function and hydraulic reliability; sieve-like conduction in heterokonts; peristaltic shuttle streaming in myxogastrian plasmodia). Macroscopic physiologies are underpinned by Brownian molecular thermodynamics and thus quantum mechanics; the apparently disparate physiologies of large organisms share a fundamental operating principle at small scales. However, the specific translocation mechanisms that extend this functioning to larger scales are embroiled in bauplans, representing phylogenetic constraints to body size.

00:00 Bauplans of large eukaryotes
00:25 What life is
01:10 Transport processes within cells
03:56 Fungi | physiological integration
05:25 Slime molds | physiological integration
07:15 Green plants | physiological integration
11:56 Animals | physiological integration
16:31 Heterokonts | physiological integration
17:49 Summary

Based on the peer-reviewed paper:

Pierce S (2025) The evolution of large organism size: disparate physiologies share a foundation at the smallest physical scales. Life, 15(12): 1914. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15121914

and also building upon:

Pierce S (2023) Life’s Mechanism. Life, 13(8):1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13081750

Part of a series on what life is:
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