In this essay I presented basic information on complexity of life, starting with
general characteristics of complexity. The complexity was explained in terms of
quantity of parts, organized by not their summation, but by their ability to selforganization
and creation of novelty on the way to the wholeness in a course
of evolution. A short review of evolving cell from elementary particles and atoms,
through simple chemical molecules and macromolecules, self-organized
networks and morphological structures of the cell were presented. All living
organisms reveal distinct hierarchical organization from basic level (atoms,
molecules) to cells and multicellular individuals. Complexity is increasing with
the increased hierarchical levels. However phenomena of life on higher level
of hierarchy can not be explained or reduced to characteristics and properties
of chemical molecules but by interaction between them and integration of
various molecular processes at a lover levels of hierarchy. More detailed view
on hierarchical organization of the human, relation between various levels of
hierarchy, and emergence of highest human abilities belonging to the broad
level of culture are discussed.Centrum Onkologii – Instytut im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie,
Oddział w Gliwicac
