Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information
Abstract: Living systems imply self-reproducing constructs capable of Darwinian evolution. How such dynamics can arise from undirected interactions between simple monomeric objects remains an open question. Here we circumvent difficulties related to the manipulation of chemical interactions, and pre...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2001-11-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/3/4/273/ |
| _version_ | 1811184634713604096 |
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| author | Jarle Breivik |
| author_facet | Jarle Breivik |
| author_sort | Jarle Breivik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract: Living systems imply self-reproducing constructs capable of Darwinian evolution. How such dynamics can arise from undirected interactions between simple monomeric objects remains an open question. Here we circumvent difficulties related to the manipulation of chemical interactions, and present a system of ferromagnetic objects that self-organize into template-replicating polymers due to environmental fluctuations in temperature. Initially random sequences of monomers direct the formation of complementary sequences, and structural information is inherited from one structure to another. Selective replication of sequences occurs in dynamic interaction with the environment, and the system demonstrates the fundamental link between thermodynamics, information theory, and life science in an unprecedented manner. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:16:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-399db700cd1d49c7991a250dc861a107 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:16:54Z |
| publishDate | 2001-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-399db700cd1d49c7991a250dc861a1072022-12-22T04:22:23ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002001-11-013427327910.3390/e3040273Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic InformationJarle BreivikAbstract: Living systems imply self-reproducing constructs capable of Darwinian evolution. How such dynamics can arise from undirected interactions between simple monomeric objects remains an open question. Here we circumvent difficulties related to the manipulation of chemical interactions, and present a system of ferromagnetic objects that self-organize into template-replicating polymers due to environmental fluctuations in temperature. Initially random sequences of monomers direct the formation of complementary sequences, and structural information is inherited from one structure to another. Selective replication of sequences occurs in dynamic interaction with the environment, and the system demonstrates the fundamental link between thermodynamics, information theory, and life science in an unprecedented manner.http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/3/4/273/self-replicationinformation theorythermodynamicsgeneticsferromagnetism |
| spellingShingle | Jarle Breivik Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information Entropy self-replication information theory thermodynamics genetics ferromagnetism |
| title | Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information |
| title_full | Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information |
| title_fullStr | Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information |
| title_short | Self-Organization of Template-Replicating Polymers and the Spontaneous Rise of Genetic Information |
| title_sort | self organization of template replicating polymers and the spontaneous rise of genetic information |
| topic | self-replication information theory thermodynamics genetics ferromagnetism |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/3/4/273/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jarlebreivik selforganizationoftemplatereplicatingpolymersandthespontaneousriseofgeneticinformation |