Symmetry in nature is an objective property, one of the main in modern natural science. This is a universal and general characteristic of our material world.
Symmetry in nature is a concept that reflects the order existing in the world, proportionality and proportionality between elements of various systems or objects of nature, system balance, orderliness, stability, that is, a certain element of harmony.
Symmetry and asymmetry are opposite concepts. The latter reflects the disordering of the system, the lack of equilibrium.
Symmetry forms
Modern science defines a series of symmetries that reflect the properties of the hierarchy of individual levels of organization of the material world. Various types or forms of symmetries are known:
- spatio-temporal;
- gauge;
- isotopic;
- SLR
- permutation.
All these types of symmetries can be divided into external and internal.
External symmetry in nature (spatial or geometric) is represented by a huge variety. This applies to crystals, living organisms, molecules.
Inner symmetry is hidden from our eyes. It manifests itself in laws and mathematical equations. For example, the Maxwell equation, which determines the relationship of magnetic and electrical phenomena, or the Einstein's property of gravity, which connects space, time and gravity.
Why is symmetry necessary in life?
Symmetry in living organisms was formed during evolution. The very first organisms that originated in the ocean had an ideal spherical shape. In order to invade another environment, they had to adapt to new conditions.
One of the ways of such adaptation is symmetry in nature at the level of physical forms. Symmetrical arrangement of body parts provides balance during movement, vitality and adaptation. The external forms of man and large animals have a fairly symmetrical appearance. In the plant world, there is also symmetry. For example, the conical shape of the spruce crown has a symmetrical axis. This is a vertical trunk thickened down for stability. Separate branches are also symmetrical with respect to it, and the shape of the cone allows rational use of the light flux of solar energy by the crown. The external symmetry of animals helps them maintain balance when moving, enrich themselves with energy from the environment, using it rationally.
In chemical and physical systems, symmetry is also present. So, the most stable are molecules that have high symmetry. Crystals are highly symmetric bodies, in their structure three dimensions of an elementary atom are periodically repeated.
Asymmetry
Sometimes the internal arrangement of organs in a living organism is asymmetric. For example, the heart is located on the person on the left, the liver on the right.
Plants in the process of life from the soil absorb chemical mineral compounds from molecules of a symmetrical shape and in their body convert them into asymmetric substances: proteins, starch, glucose.
Asymmetry and symmetry in nature are two opposite characteristics. These are categories that are always in struggle and unity. Different levels of development of matter can bear the properties of either symmetry or asymmetry.
If we assume that equilibrium is a state of rest and symmetry, and motion and nonequilibrium is caused by asymmetry, then we can say that the concept of equilibrium in biology is no less important than in physics. The biological form of matter motion is characterized by the principle of stability of the thermodynamic equilibrium of biological systems. It is asymmetry, which is a stable dynamic equilibrium, that can be considered a key principle in solving the problem of the origin of life.