A considerable literature has developed around the concept that the complexity of biological organisms, and the development of ever increasing complexity during biological evolution, is driven, in some way, by the maximization of entropy production (MEP). Most of these studies deal in very general terms with the living state and do not examine specific biological models. In the present study, we discuss some of the basic postulates of MEP as they are applied to living organisms. It is concluded that the MEP ideas seem to have little relevance either for the development of biological complexity or biological evolution.

Does maximal entropy production play a role in the evolution of biological complexity? A biological point of view

Zucchelli Giuseppe
2020

Abstract

A considerable literature has developed around the concept that the complexity of biological organisms, and the development of ever increasing complexity during biological evolution, is driven, in some way, by the maximization of entropy production (MEP). Most of these studies deal in very general terms with the living state and do not examine specific biological models. In the present study, we discuss some of the basic postulates of MEP as they are applied to living organisms. It is concluded that the MEP ideas seem to have little relevance either for the development of biological complexity or biological evolution.
2020
Istituto di Biofisica - IBF
Biological structural complexity
Maximum entropy production
Chemical steady state
Chemical kinetic constants
Dissipative structure
Entropy production and energy wastage
PHOTOSYSTEM-I
GIBBS
KINETICS
ENZYME
WORK
LIFE
LAW
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/381310
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact