Q&A: Biochemistry in the Laws of Physics
Biochemistry in the Laws of Physics
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi,
According to my understanding, the bonds and forces that bind the components of a biological cell (for example) behave according to physical laws that also apply in larger systems. For instance, primary embryonic cells that develop into a complete and sophisticated organism—the basic substances they contain behave according to physical rules in order to differentiate and continue developing. How is it that external forces do not manage to disrupt this development? For example, if a pregnant woman jumps or receives a blow that is many times stronger relative to those tiny physical forces, why don’t those cells get disrupted from carrying out their function, the way another system—for example, a magnetic system—might absorb an external blow that would upset all the bonds and relationships within the affected system?
Is there some deviation here from what is known and accepted, or are the forces and bonds operating at the small scale of the cell indeed strong enough not to be disrupted (just as a person does not fall apart from every jump or blow)?
Answer
I don’t understand the question. Is this a question in biology? It would be best to direct it to experts in that field.
To the questioner: the forces involved in a normal jump generally do not act in the opposite direction to the forces operating inside the cell to any significant degree. For example, a jump does not cause the hydrogen bonds between the strands of DNA to break apart (and why would it?).