- 1. In 1944, the renowned physicist Erwin Schrödinger published a thought-provoking book titled 'What Is Life?', which examined the relationship between the laws of physics and the processes of life. In this seminal work, Schrödinger postulated that living organisms possess a unique order that allows them to defy the second law of thermodynamics, which states that systems tend toward greater disorder over time. He introduced the concept of 'negative entropy,' suggesting that while living systems take in energy and information to maintain their structure and organization, they simultaneously export entropy to their surroundings. Through a blend of physics, biology, and philosophy, Schrödinger speculated on the molecular basis of heredity and life itself, foreshadowing the discoveries of DNA and genetic coding. His reflections not only inspired a generation of scientists but also prompted deep questions about the nature of existence, the essence of life, and the interface between conscious thought and physical reality. The book remains a pivotal piece of literature, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and raising fundamental questions about what it means to be alive in a universe governed by physical laws.
What year was 'What Is Life?' originally published?
A) 1935
B) 1951
C) 1927
D) 1944
- 2. Schrödinger's book is famous for influencing the development of which field?
A) Organic chemistry
B) Quantum computing
C) Molecular biology
D) Astrophysics
- 3. According to Schrödinger, what is the fundamental molecule of life?
A) The enzyme
B) The gene
C) The virus
D) The protein
- 4. Schrödinger proposed that living matter evades decay to equilibrium by feeding on what?
A) Organic matter
B) Solar radiation
C) Negative entropy
D) Positive energy
- 5. What term does Schrödinger famously coin for the genetic material?
A) Molecular script
B) Biological code
C) Organic polymer
D) Aperiodic crystal
- 6. Schrödinger's work is credited with inspiring which future Nobel laureates?
A) Pauling and Sanger
B) Einstein and Bohr
C) Watson and Crick
D) Curie and Rutherford
- 7. What field was Schrödinger's primary area of expertise before writing 'What Is Life?'?
A) Philosophy
B) Chemistry
C) Biology
D) Theoretical physics
- 8. According to Schrödinger, what is the most essential feature of living organisms?
A) Their ability to think
B) Their ability to maintain order
C) Their ability to move
D) Their ability to reproduce
- 9. Schrödinger's book is based on a series of public lectures given at what institution?
A) Trinity College, Dublin
B) University of Cambridge
C) University of Vienna
D) Princeton University
- 10. What concept does Schrödinger use to explain how organisms maintain internal order?
A) Metabolism
B) Negative entropy (negentropy)
C) Adaptation
D) Homeostasis
- 11. Schrödinger's work helped bridge the gap between which two fields?
A) Physics and biology
B) Biology and philosophy
C) Physics and chemistry
D) Chemistry and mathematics
- 12. What thermodynamic principle is central to Schrödinger's explanation of life?
A) The second law of thermodynamics
B) The third law of thermodynamics
C) The first law of thermodynamics
D) The zeroth law of thermodynamics
- 13. How does Schrödinger describe the relationship between an organism and its environment?
A) An organism accelerates environmental entropy
B) An organism creates perpetual motion
C) An organism delays its decay into thermodynamic equilibrium
D) An organism exists in complete isolation from its environment
- 14. What is Schrödinger's view on vitalism?
A) He considers it the only valid explanation
B) He rejects it as unscientific
C) He believes it explains consciousness
D) He fully endorses it
- 15. What does Schrödinger suggest about the predictability of mutations?
A) They can be precisely calculated
B) They are caused by conscious will
C) They follow deterministic laws exactly
D) They are inherently unpredictable at the quantum level
- 16. What is the 'aperiodic crystal' that Schrödinger proposes?
A) A structure with a non-repeating pattern that can store information
B) A crystal that never forms
C) A type of glass
D) A perfectly symmetrical mineral
- 17. What is Schrödinger's background that made his biological insights remarkable?
A) He had no scientific background
B) He was a physicist, not a biologist
C) He was a medical doctor
D) He was a chemist by training
- 18. Schrödinger suggests that a gene contains a certain number of atoms to ensure:
A) Stability against random fluctuations
B) Rapid mutation rates
C) Mobility within the cell
D) High energy output
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