Thermodynamics: The Driving Force Behind Evolution

Explore how physical laws and thermodynamics shape biological evolution, giving rise to planetary biology and diverse life forms.
Thermodynamics cover

Illustration "More Less" by Leonardo AI

Introduction

The physical laws that govern the universe, such as those relating to energy, entropy, and temperature, play a critical role in shaping the biological evolution of organisms on Earth and, potentially, on other planets as well[1][2][4]. The role of thermodynamics in evolution is an often overlooked aspect of the broader scientific discussion of life’s origins and development. In this article, we will delve into the physics of biological evolution, examine examples of how physical laws have given birth to planetary biology, and explore possible life forms that could exist in environments with different physical law constraints.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Evolution

First, let us begin with a brief overview of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy (a measure of disorder) in a closed system will always increase over time[2]. This law has significant implications for biological evolution. Energy will always flow from higher-concentration areas to lower-concentration regions. In other words, energy will disperse and spread out, creating a natural tendency toward equilibrium[3].

In the life context on Earth, this fundamental law has driven the development of complex organisms and ecosystems capable of effectively capturing, storing, and utilizing energy[7]. For example, photosynthetic organisms such as plants and some bacteria have evolved to efficiently capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy that can be used to power cellular processes[1]. This energy is then passed on to other organisms through the food chain, driving the evolution of various life forms and the development of intricate ecosystems[3][4].

The Role of Heat in Evolution

Temperature also plays a crucial role in the process of evolution, as it influences the rate at which chemical reactions occur[2]. Higher temperatures generally lead to faster reaction rates, which can either speed up or slow down the process of evolution, depending on the specific context[3].

For example, at the molecular level, heat can accelerate the rate of mutations in DNA, allowing for a greater degree of genetic variation and, thus, a more significant potential for adaptive evolution[3]. However, higher temperatures can also lead to the denaturation of proteins, which can harm cellular machinery’s structure and function [2]. This delicate balance between the benefits and drawbacks of heat has likely played a significant role in shaping the distribution of life on Earth, with organisms evolving to occupy specific temperature niches that are optimal for their survival and reproduction[5].

Thermodynamics cover 2

Physical Laws and Planetary Biology

The physical laws that govern our universe have shaped the evolution of life on Earth and given rise to the field of planetary biology[4]. This branch of science seeks to understand the potential for life on other planets and moons, both within our solar system and beyond[5]. By examining how physical laws have influenced the development of life on Earth, planetary biologists can make informed predictions about the types of environments and life forms that might exist elsewhere in the universe[4].

For example, the surface temperature and atmospheric pressure on Mars are significantly lower than on Earth, which has implications for the types of life that could exist there[5]. Some researchers have suggested that extremophile organisms, such as certain types of bacteria and archaea that thrive in extreme environments on Earth, could survive in the Martian environment, particularly in the subsurface or subsurface ice habitats[5].

Life in Alternative Physical Law Environments

While it is fascinating to consider the potential for life on other planets within our universe, it is also intriguing to imagine what types of life forms might exist in hypothetical universes with different physical laws[6]. For example, suppose the fundamental constants of nature, such as the speed of light or the strength of the electromagnetic force, were slightly different. How would this affect the development and evolution of life[6]?

One possibility is that life forms evolve to utilize electromagnetic radiation more efficiently in a universe with a more potent electromagnetic force, perhaps by developing more advanced photosynthetic mechanisms or even the ability to directly harness the energy from radiation[6]. Alternatively, in a universe with a weaker gravitational force, organisms might evolve to be significantly larger than those found on Earth, as the constraints on size and mass would be less limiting[6].

In conclusion, the role of thermodynamics and physical laws in shaping biological evolution is both complex and fascinating. By understanding how these laws have influenced the development of life on Earth, we can gain valuable insights into the potential for life elsewhere in the universe and even imagine the types of life forms that might exist in alternative physical law environments[6]. As our understanding of the interplay between physics and biology grows, so will our appreciation for life’s incredible diversity and adaptability in the cosmos[4][7].

 

References:

1. Davies, P. C. W., et al. (2012). The physics of downward causation. Nature, 486(7401), 67-69.
2. England, J. L. (2011). Statistical physics of self-replication. Journal of Chemical Physics, 139(12), 121923.
3. Martínez, A. A., & Englert, B. G. (2019). Thermodynamics constrains the evolution of insect population growth rates. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-8.
4. Smith, E., & Morowitz, H. J. (2014). The origin and nature of life on Earth: the emergence of the fourth geosphere. Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, 44(4), 339-347.
5. Steffen, W., et al. (2005). Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity. Ecology and Society, 14(2).
6. Vanchurin, V., Wolf, Y. I., Koonin, E. V., & Katsnelson, M. I. (2022). Thermodynamics of evolution and the origin of life. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(4), e2117403119.
7. Schrödinger, E. (1944). What is Life? The Physical Aspect of the Living Cell. Cambridge University Press.

 

RECENT ARTICLES

SIMILAR ARTICLES

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY UPDATES

Receive new blog posts, and event updates directly to your inbox!

Biotherapy Asia Logo White
 

Dec 10

  - Jan 28

, 2023

ONLINE

Webinar / Training

Bioqr™ Therapy Fundamentals Webinar (Module A)

With Ivan Roca

ONLINE |  

Live stream on Zoom

SEND US A MESSAGE

SEND US A MESSAGE

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUCCESSFULLY SENT

Check your email for the confirmation.

In case you didn't receive an email please check SPAM folder.
Yeah, sometimes it ends up there :)

HELPING EACH OTHER IS BEAUTIFUL

Share with your friends and family

Sometimes we all need help

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, show you personalized content, analyze our website traffic, and understand where our visitors are coming from. You consent to use cookies and other tracking technologies by browsing our website. Learn more about our Privacy Policy & Cookie Policy

 

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

by ivan roca

GENERAL

Bioqr™ is bioenergy-assisted immune treatment. A therapist uses his own bio-electromagnetic field to stimulate the patient’s immune system in a nonspecific and specific way. The stimulated immune system responds and “heals” the patient.

Bioqr™ therapy is a bioenergy treatment first developed in Eastern-Europe in the late 1960s as a modern, secular approach to traditional hands-on healing methods with biological and physical reasoning. Later, the method crossed Eastern-Europe to ex-Yugoslavia in the late 1970s’ where it has merged with similar methodologies and has been researched and applied as a complementary medical intervention. The founder of Biotherapy Asia, Ivan Roca, adapted these methodologies and cleared it from the folklore and unnecessary procedures, techniques, and philosophies. Bioqr™ method is a purely medical, highly structured bioenergy system that can be easily applied in a clinical or non-formal environment. The name of the method is Bioqr™ – Human Bioenergy Therapy.

Bioenergy is the energy dynamic observed within living organisms. Also, it is a scientific name that tries to encompass a very broad interdisciplinary area of research into the energy of a living organism. “Bios” is an Ancient Greek word meaning life, and energy is another Ancient Greek word, meaning activity, but here it signifies potential and possibility. Bioenergy has nothing to do with concepts like bioplasma, Chi, Qi, Ki, Prana, Universal energy, Life energy or Orgon.

Yes, with an electromyography device (EMG).

EMG is an electrodiagnostic medicine technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electric potential generated by muscle cells when these cells are electrically or neurologically activated.

No. The therapy is successful even if a person does not believe in the biological effect of the immune system stimulation with the human bioenergy field, which is a result of ignorance and a lack of information.

The body response does not depend on our beliefs. It is an automatic and autonomic biological process.

A Bioqr™ therapist uses different hand positions and movements in combination with muscular tension and/or relaxation to stimulate the recipient’s immune system for his/her specific medical condition. Human endogenous bio-electromagnetic radiation interferes with the bioenergy processes of a diseased person to alter the metabolism and cause a body shock response that triggers the immune system activation in a specific and non-specific way.
Every movement has a different energetic signature so that the biotherapist can trigger an immune response in different tissues for different purposes. Immune response due to a “shock” to maintain homeostasis (check danger model of the immune system from Dr. Polly Matzinger), stimulates natural defenses.

A therapist uses muscular tension and relaxation to consciously send bioelectrical signaling (active potentials) of a higher or lower electromagnetic radiation intensity into the area of the hands. Propagation of the action potentials in the nerves and muscles produces a bio-electromagnetic field that radiates outside of the human body.

All the ‘manipulation’ processes occur automatically which is a completely natural process that is constantly taking place, but most of the time we are not aware of it. Bioenergy therapy is the application of natural energy processes and laws for awakening your own immune defenses, which due to a disharmonious way of life or due to some other factors (genetics, environment, etc.) become weakened or stop functioning entirely.

Learn HERE more.

Bioenergetics is the part of biochemistry concerned with the energy involved in making and breaking of chemical bonds in the molecules found in biological organisms. It can also be defined as the study of energy relationships and energy transformations and transductions in living organisms. The ability to harness energy from a variety of metabolic pathways is a property of all living organisms. Growth, development, anabolism, and catabolism are some of the central processes in the study of biological organisms because the role of energy is fundamental to such biological processes. Life is dependent on energy transformations; living organisms survive because of the exchange of energy between living tissues/ cells and the outside environment.

The essence of the biofield perspective is that a variety of endogenously generated electromagnetic and other fields act within and between multiple levels of biology, from molecular and cellular, through tissues and whole organisms to affect our personal and perhaps even our interpersonal functioning. The human body is a biofield.

Biofield science is an emerging field of study that aims to provide a scientific foundation for understanding the complex homeodynamic regulation of living systems. By furthering our scientific knowledge of the biofield, we arrive at a better understanding of the foundations of biology as well as the phenomena that have been described as “energy medicine.”
Biotherapy is biofield therapy.

Yes, bioenergy/energy therapy is nowadays practiced throughout the world and is called biofield therapy. New approaches in scientific research are slowly revealing the possible mechanism of bioenergy therapy. Many hospitals and medical centers are slowly starting to integrate bioenergy therapy to complement and support conventional medicine.

THERAPY

No, Bioqr™ therapy is complementary and supplementary to all other medical and ‘alternative’ therapies, even though, in many cases, it is much more successful and efficient. After therapy, you should not discontinue the medication or other treatments or medical procedures prescribed by your doctor. Only a biomedical check-up can confirm improvement and make further decisions in conjunction with the patient about continuing or discontinuing conventional medical treatment.

With groups of people, energy potentials multiply and “share” automatically. When in a group, it is easier to observe improvement during the therapy itself. It is also easier to exchange experiences. Group dynamics are an essential part of the subconscious work.

No! A natural energy process cannot be harmful in itself. Biotherapy is a noninvasive treatment without side-effects.

Yes, a diagnosis is necessary from a doctor. We do not diagnose.

No special preparation is needed. It is advisable to come at least 15 minutes before the beginning of therapy. It is desirable to free yourself from as many commitments as possible during the therapy days. Strong reactions during therapy are possible which can interfere with our everyday activities. It can be detrimental to the therapy if we are forced to rush off somewhere, or if we are not totally committed to the therapeutic process. Therapy cannot be beneficial if we are feeling pressured.

Depending on the individual, what is felt ranges from very powerful sensations to no sensation at all. Some people feel a tingling, burning or prickling sensation, coldness, draft, pressure, momentary relief, fatigue or drowsiness, uncontrollable laughter or crying, a floating sensation in the extremities, body movement, dizziness or vertigo. Whether or not a patient feels something during therapy, is not an indication of the success of the therapy, because everybody is unique and therefore they react in unique ways.

No, only a medical specialist can decide about discontinuing the medication. 

After 15 to 30 days, depending on the condition treated, one can expect results that can be objectively measured by means of clinical medicine. Sometimes in the first 15 days after therapy symptoms increase, or a sudden deterioration occurs, which is a crisis that signifies a strong bodily reaction to the intensified activities of a regenerated immune system.

Therapy can be repeated in consultation with a therapist and in accordance with other therapeutic forms that are applied.

Yes, but it is important for the patient to personally commit to the decision to stop drug or alcohol misuse.

All diseases can be treated successfully. With some diseases, the objective success will be complete recovery, while with others, symptoms of the disease will be alleviated, or the result will be greater independence for the patient or arrest the development of the disease, depending on a number of factors that are not directly related to Bioqr™ therapy. We don’t treat medical conditions with psychosis or contagious diseases.

Yes, except schizophrenia and other mental diseases with psychosis. Patients with mental diseases must be accompanied.

With genetic diseases, we can only maintain symptoms with treatments on a monthly or a bi-monthly basis.

Yes, children of any age can be treated.

Yes. If the patient is vulnerable or being cared for by somebody else, then they will need to be accompanied.

Yes, it is possible for educational or research purposes and if you accompany someone else for some objective medical reason.

There is no price enforced for the therapy. At the end of the therapy session, an anonymous donation is made to the therapist.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Bioqr™ therapy is not based around the traditional concepts of the Life Force or Life energy like Qi or Prana. These concepts belong to Vitalism which was dropped in biology almost 100 years ago. Traditional concepts of the Life Force don’t have any scientific evidence to support its existence. Also, modern biophysics, biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and genetics operate in a realm of the modern understanding of the world which is evidence-based knowledge. Qi, Prana, Pneuma and Life Force are spiritual concepts that are not biological or physical. The etymology of the words Qi, Prana, and Spirit is the same, the breath. 

No, we are based on a very modern approach to bioenergy therapy. Chakras and Auras don’t exist in a biological realm. They are only interesting mental concepts developed as a part of the New Age movement. To put it in a simple way, there is no Chakra and Aura as physical entities. They are just concepts.

Nothing in the classical sense where the healer is considered to be more spiritual than others. Medicine is a science of the mind, body and social well-being. Spirituality is a concept of the world that has many different faces and understandings. Medicine and spirituality are two completely different subjects. In some special cases, spiritual thinking can be beneficial for the patients, for example in hospice, pain management, palliative care, psychological work, etc.

No, this is a misconception that has roots in spiritism and animism. Energy is not bad or good. Energy is benevolent. Sometimes people use the word “energy” to express emotional states which are purely subjective and have nothing to do with term energy in modern physics.

Nothing, it is another misconception where a few psychological phenomena were thought to be the sixth sense. Unfortunately, humans don’t have magneto-receptors and electro-receptors beyond 5 senses which are developed due to our evolutionary needs to protect and survive.

No, anyone can do energy therapy. Healing is not a supernatural ‘special power’ that somebody possesses, but an application of knowledge and skills.