Our understanding of life has changed throughout the centuries, but it started as a quality only found in the human race, and the recent discovery about the nature of biological molecules called prions, is set to change it once again. A recent article in World Science explain why.
"Lifeless" molecules found to evolve, adapt
"Lifeless" molecules found to evolve, adapt
The study from Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla. found that prions can develop many mutations. Mutations that help the prions to withstand threats then tend to persist in a “population” of prions, while other prions are destroyed. This eventually leads the prions to develop adaptations such as drug resistance.
The process in other words would seem to be analogous to the way that living things evolve, according to Darwinist principles. Viruses, too—which are often considered non-living—can evolve. But unlike prions, viruses have in common with life forms that they contain DNA or closely related molecule, RNA.
