Biomolecular Basis of Life

Life is defined descriptively by the capacity for metabolism, homeostasis, self-organization, growth, adaptation, information metabolism, and reproduction. All these are achieved by a set of self-organizing and self-sustaining processes, among which energy and information metabolism play a dominant role. The energy metabolism of the human body is based on glucose and lipid metabolism. All energy-dependent life processes are controlled by phosphate and calcium signaling. To maintain the optimal levels of energy metabolism, cells, tissues, and the nervous system communicate mutually, and as a result of this signaling, metabolism emerges with self-awareness, which allows for conscience social interactions, which are the most significant determinants of human life. Consequently, the brain representation of our body and the egocentric representation of the environment are built. The last determinant of life optimization is the limited life/death cycle, which exhibits the same pattern at cellular and social levels. This narrative review is my first attempt to systematize our knowledge of life phenomena. Due to the extreme magnitude of this challenge, in the current article, I tried to summarize the current knowledge about fundamental life processes, i.e., energy and information metabolism, and, thus, initiate a broader discussion about the life and future of our species.