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Issue 4, 2024
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1988

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February

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From the history of physics


Complementarity, physics, and biology


The views of Niels Bohr on complementarity are examined, both in physics and in other fields. N. Bohr's opinions on the relationship between physics and biology are discussed in detail. It is shown that, over a number of years, Bohr viewed as complementary the study of organisms as atomic-molecular and as integral systems. Subsequently, owing to the development of molecular biology, Bohr rejected the idea of the complementarity in principle of the stated two types of studies. The current status of the physical theory of biological phenomena is examined, and the role of synergetics in this field is noted. The so-called antireductionism is criticized. It is shown that the views of contemporary eminent theoretical biologists reveal them to be unfamiliar with physics. The very important role of physics in the further development of biology and its practical applications is emphasized.

Fulltext pdf (385 KB)
Fulltext is also available at DOI: 10.1070/PU1988v031n02ABEH005698
PACS: 01.65.+g, 87.15.−v (all)
DOI: 10.1070/PU1988v031n02ABEH005698
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1988/2/c/
Citation: Vol’kenshtein M V "Complementarity, physics, and biology" Sov. Phys. Usp. 31 140–150 (1988)
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Оригинал: Волькенштейн М В «Дополнительность, физика и биология» УФН 154 279–297 (1988); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0154.198802e.0279

N. Bohr is author of Physics-Uspekhi

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