- Evolution is seen as a highly path-dependent process due to its historical nature, but outcomes could have varied.
- Convergence and constraints significantly limit evolutionary designs, suggesting that not all possibilities are realized.
- Fundamental constraints are inherent in the logic of living matter, influencing evolutionary outcomes.
- Examples of constraints include thermodynamics in living systems, linear molecular information, cellular composition, multicellularity, cognitive system computations, and ecosystem architecture.
- The study provides evidence for these constraints and proposes pathways for a defined theoretical framework.
- Convergence and constraints significantly limit evolutionary designs, suggesting that not all possibilities are realized.
- Fundamental constraints are inherent in the logic of living matter, influencing evolutionary outcomes.
- Examples of constraints include thermodynamics in living systems, linear molecular information, cellular composition, multicellularity, cognitive system computations, and ecosystem architecture.
- The study provides evidence for these constraints and proposes pathways for a defined theoretical framework.
The study investigates how well bacterial spores maintain their structural and morphological biosignatures after exposure to harsh conditions simulating the surfaces of Enceladus and Europa. It finds that spore structure remains resilient even after exposure to radiation and temperature extremes, suggesting that methods targeting cell morphology could be valuable for future life detection missions.
