Self-organization at the origin of life.
The concept of an (M,R) system with organizational invariance allows one to understand how a system may be able to maintain itself indefinitely if it is coupled to an external source of energy and materials. However, although this constitutes an important step towards understanding the difference between a living and a non-living system, it is not clear that an (M,R) system with organizational invariance is sufficient to define a living system. To take a further step towards defining what it means to be alive it is necessary to add to a simple (M,R) system some property that represents its identity, and which can be maintained and modified in subsequent generations.
Cornish-Bowden
Athel
A
Unité de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, 31 chemin Joseph-Aiguier, B.P. 71, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. acornish@ibsm.cnrs-mrs.fr
Cárdenas
María Luz
ML
D000818:Animals; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D000069497:Origin of Life; D049490:Systems Biology