Gravity detection through bifurcation.
Bifurcation is a phenomenon in which a physical system is forced to make a choice between one of the several possible states to which it can evolve.  In this process the system can become extremely sensitive to very small influences--smaller than the size of the fluctuations--that favor one of the states.  A general theory of this sensitivity and a simple model for gravity detection is presented.  The difference between systems in thermodynamic equilibrium and those that are far from equilibrium is also discussed.
Kondepudi
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Department of Chemistry, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA.
Storm
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D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D048429:Cell Size; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006112:Gravitation; D018522:Gravitropism / Q000502:physiology; D018466:Gravity Sensing / Q000502:physiology*; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010944:Plants; D013816:Thermodynamics