Abstract

The concept of emergence is absent from classical molecular biology for it is implicitly, or explicitly, assumed that all the properties of living systems are in fine carried out by specific macromolecules. The concept of biological system implies that a number of biological properties are not borne by specific macromolecules but by a system of macromolecules. In this perspective a biological property originates from the connections between molecules belonging to a system. In classical molecular biology a property does not emerge for it is carried by a specific macromolecule. In systems biology properties emerge from the interactions that take place between the elements of a system.