For layman purposes, instead of the word "information", replace it with the word "pattern" when you read it. It will give you a more intuitive sense of the mathematical usage.
Since everything is information, your question as stated doesn't quite make sense. I would say that DNA is a functional and semi-stable form of algorithmic information for the kinds of chemistries found on this planet. All non-trivial patterns can function as algorithmic machines, but the expression of such in an obvious functional manner is environment dependent. There is nothing special about DNA per se, and a multitude of other chemical systems would express equivalent functionality and form in similar environments.
For layman purposes, instead of the word "information", replace it with the word "pattern" when you read it. It will give you a more intuitive sense of the mathematical usage.
Since everything is information, your question as stated doesn't quite make sense |
I guess I wanted to ask that if any random bits of 'information' is added, subtracted or changed in a data stream, what does that do to the overall quality of the original?Since man-made information pathways are inherantly noisy, we have 'evolved' error checking as well as error correcting methods that assure that what is sent is what is received. Do you know of any biological methods that do this?