[specialist]

> able to garner enough information

"Garner" is perfect here, thank you.

> But how do random chemical processes [make the leap from molecules to cells]?

Ya, that's a kicker.

Another mind bender for me is the concept of "self". When some collection starts to prefer their own company over others. That boundary (or barrier or affinity or homophily or whatever) between "me" and "not me".