From a wave to a particle... what type of observation exactly? I have a simple question that I have not been able to find an answer to.
I understand that a wave function can be caused to collapse merely by observing. If that is not accurate, please educate me.
My question is simple but the answer may not be.
"What is meant by 'observing'?". 
Does the "observer" require some level of intelligence? Can a simple bug observing a wave function cause it to collapse? Can a non-living thing (camera, etc.) cause a wave function to collapse when it turns its lens or other "observing" structure toward the wave? Or does it have to actually capture an image? Etc.. 
Any clarity to my confusion is gratefully accepted.
 A: Quantum theory models the physical properties of particles by assigning each particle a function of space and time known as its wavefunction. The wavefunction represents, among other things, the probability of a particle being localised in a given area. Wherever the magnitude of the wavefunction is zero, the probability of the particle being in that area is zero; the greater the magnitude of the wavefunction in a given area the greater the probability of finding the particle there.
The wavefunction associated with a particle changes as a consequence of interactions with other particles. There is considerable debate about the mechanism involved here, with different interpretations of quantum theory viewing these changes in different ways. In the 'Copenhagen' interpretation, discontinuous changes to the wavefunction can be known as a 'collapse' or 'quantum jump', depending on the nature of the change. The term 'collapse' is most naturally used where a wavefunction that began as very spread becomes much more localised. The cause of such collapses is an interaction between particles. For example, an electron landing on a photographic plate might be absorbed, or cause ionisation. There is absolutely no requirement whatsoever for an 'observation' or 'measurement' to be performed in order for an interaction to trigger a collapse, although in studying such interactions they often are. 
