Sandy,
The UB's discussion about life and "vital spark" seems to focus on the fine points of what causes/initiates life from non-living components. I believe that this discussion is mostly about cells, in particular, protoplasm.
Here are various UB paragraphs that elaborate:
"The biologic unit of material life is the protoplasmic cell, the communal association of chemical, electrical, and other basic energies. The chemical formulas differ in each system, and the technique of living cell reproduction is slightly different in each local universe, but the Life Carriers are always the living catalyzers who initiate the primordial reactions of material life; they are the instigators of the energy circuits of living matter." (49:1.2)
"Many features of human life afford abundant evidence that the phenomenon of mortal existence was intelligently planned, that organic evolution is not a mere cosmic accident. When a living cell is injured, it possesses the ability to elaborate certain chemical substances which are empowered so to stimulate and activate the neighboring normal cells that they immediately begin the secretion of certain substances which facilitate healing processes in the wound; and at the same time these normal and uninjured cells begin to proliferate — they actually start to work creating new cells to replace any fellow cells which may have been destroyed by the accident." (65:4.3)
"This chemical action and reaction concerned in wound healing and cell reproduction represents the choice of the Life Carriers of a formula embracing over one hundred thousand phases and features of possible chemical reactions and biologic repercussions. More than half a million specific experiments were made by the Life Carriers in their laboratories before they finally settled upon this formula for the Urantia life experiment." (65:4.4)
"When Urantia scientists know more of these healing chemicals, they will become more efficient in the treatment of injuries, and indirectly they will know more about controlling certain serious diseases." (65:4.5)
"The same sort of a paradox confronts mortal man when he undertakes the chemical analysis of protoplasm. The chemist can elucidate the chemistry of dead protoplasm, but he cannot discern either the physical organization or the dynamic performance of living protoplasm. Ever will the scientist come nearer and nearer the secrets of life, but never will he find them and for no other reason than that he must kill protoplasm in order to analyze it." (65:6.1)
The discussion referring to nearby cells that help repair/replace damaged cells was easy to observe in my former wife's diabetes skin injuries. Despite the medical "lotions and potions" (and therapies) prescribed, healing did not occur unless living healthy cells were available nearby to help nurture healing.
About the Captain's Table schedule ...
I found myself counting the days from Day 1 every time that I wanted to know my progress. Eventually, I realized that I had a lot of counting ahead if this method continued. So, I used an online date calculation feature to set up this simple schedule; a weekly schedule might help for Parts III and IV.
After getting so far behind (because of Lambda Lines geometry research*), I'm now two Papers ahead of schedule. It's fascinating "how time flies" when you think that you have a comfortable lead; that lead disappears so easily in our busy lives!
* My x:52/x:53 time prompts have been appearing recently, as if to advise that further exploration in the geometry would be timely (relate to current progress). I keep complaining (to no one in particular) that "exploration" typically means hours of doodling with the CAD software. And these many hours effectively reduce time avaialble for the Captain's Challenge.
But I sense that the impressive new pattern emerging in the continuing study of Lambda Lines has priority over the Captain's schedule. At least, the pattern may be trying to convince me that the Lamda Lines geometry is truly on target.
Rod