# Information, Thermodynamics and Life: A Narrative Review
## 2 Information and Life
### Information in the Cellular Context  
Based on these observations, we could postulate the following: to reduce entropy requires knowledge, i.e., information. Here, however, things are becoming more complicated since we mentioned two concepts, knowledge and information. It is not enough for the Demon only to know that there are molecules present in the box, but he also must have knowledge of their properties. Similarly, a random series of letters on a board, could be information for an observing party, yet putting them in the correct order to form words is knowledge, that is, useful information. Similarly in a cellular system, if a random amino acid sequence is produced in the ribosomes, they will take such conformation in order to obtain a minimum energy level, however the amino acid sequence will bear no functional role in the cell. Therefore, the appropriate amino acid sequence must be formed. Perhaps, drawing a parallel between the Demon and the cell, we could say that the cell sorts the erratically \"spoken\" information of the environment, since the variety of stimuli can be infinite, and responds in such a way as to maintain its homeostasis, spending energy. This principle, in fact, has been reported to be applicable as a generalized theory of planet Earth [26]. In addition, let us consider a more complex issue in biology, which is cancer. To date, it is not entirely clear why it appears and there are many theories about the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. In a recent study it was stated that carcinogenesis is directly related to thermodynamics and entropy [21]. The basic premise is that biological systems, in order to be thermodynamically stable (i.e., to function), must have the maximum (?) amount of information. For example, from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, information maximized as mitochondria were added to the second, providing energy and autonomy. Therefore, the gradual transition from the healthy cell to the cancer cell represents the reverse process, where information is minimized, that is, we move on to what is called _information destruction_. This process takes place in discrete stages. The first is genomic instability, or genomic abnormalities. Accumulation of chromosomal and sequential mutations probably leading to neoplasms. The second is cellular instability, where the cancer cell differs both morphologically and phenotypically from the normal cell and finally the inability to \"process time\". Cancer cells are virtually immortal. In fact, it is believed that if they did not lead their host to death, they could live forever [21]. At this point, however, some discrepancies arise. The above formulation for the nature of cancer cells is directly related to our perception of the tumor cell. In the clinical setting, tumor cells are considered as a pathophysiological condition, where its presence is incompatible with life and therefore justifies the view of minimizing information. There is another view, however, which sees the tumor cell as an evolution of the normal cell. After certain stimuli, the cell comes to a \"crossroad\", in which it has to choose between apoptosis and immortality, and in the case of tumors it chooses immortality. We would even dare to say that the cell passes from the \"mortal\" state that possesses and passes to another \"higher\" state, which is \"immortality\". In addition, the progression of a tumor, after its appearance, signifies anything but lack of information. The homeostasis mechanisms, the tumor cell acquires, are so powerful that it is able to overcome any attempt to eliminate it by becoming resistant to chemotherapeutic agents even in radiation, both extremely lethal to normal cells. Also, the fact of genomic abnormality, which is observed in cancer cells cannot be considered absolutely as the general causative factor but rather as the result.