The entire solid-state world is crystalline and therefore mineral. The phenomenon of crystallization produces crystals (solid bodies), thus dissymmetrizing certain space, i.e., it orders and organizes the chaotic movement of atoms and molecules. Crystallization leads to both the formation of mineral crystals and complex mineral dissipative textures (self-organizing systems), some of which were named «living» objects. Both «living» and «inert» worlds represent a single mineral world, the study of which should be based on a similar methods of ontogeny.

Figures. 5. References 8.

Key words: crystal, mineral, solid body, crystallization, life, ontogenesis

V.A. Popov, South Urals Federal Research Center of Mineralogy and Geoecology UB RAS, Institute of Mineralogy, Miass, Chelyabinsk oblast, 456317 Russia; popov@mineralogy.ru

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