Hypothetical entropy-driven mechanism for self-regulation of the size and division of primitive cells, suggesting the origin and nature of mesosomes.
It is proposed that, when a critical cell radius was reached, spontaneous invaginations caused by adhesion of adjacent nodes in membranes rippled by Brownian bombardment, became progressive due to re-orientation of self-seeking molecules. Some circumstantial bacteriological evidence is adduced; the significance of mesosomes is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D008954:Models, Biological