The statement that "life feeds on negative entropy" is a concept derived from the field of thermodynamics and information theory, particularly the idea of entropy.
Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness within a system. In thermodynamics, it is often associated with the concept of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that in a closed system, the entropy of that system tends to increase over time. Essentially, the Second Law implies that natural processes lead to an increase in disorder or randomness.
However, living organisms appear to counteract this trend by maintaining a high level of organization and complexity. They exhibit intricate structures and processes that require the input of energy to sustain and perpetuate. This is where the concept of negative entropy comes into play.
Negative entropy, also known as negentropy or information entropy, is a measure of order, organization, or information content within a system. In the context of life, it refers to the ability of living organisms to maintain and increase their internal organization in the face of the natural tendency toward entropy increase.
Living organisms are able to achieve negative entropy by acquiring energy from their environment and utilizing it to drive various processes necessary for their growth, development, and maintenance. They extract energy from their surroundings, such as sunlight or food, and convert it into forms that can be used to maintain their internal structures and functions.
In this sense, life "feeds on negative entropy" by actively reducing the disorder or randomness within its own system, counteracting the natural tendency toward entropy increase. By constantly acquiring and utilizing energy, living organisms are able to sustain and propagate the organized complexity that characterizes life.
It's worth noting that the concept of life feeding on negative entropy is a metaphorical way of describing the energy flow and maintenance of organization in living systems. It provides a perspective on how living organisms are distinct from non-living systems and highlights the importance of energy input in sustaining life's complex structures and processes.