Shapes and self-movement in protocell systems.
The effect of shapes on self-movement has been studied with an extended model of autopoiesis. Autopoiesis is known as a theory of self-boundary maintenance. In this study, not only the autopoietic generation of the self-boundary, but also the emergence of self-motility, has been examined. As a result of computer simulations, it has been found that different membrane shapes cause different types of self-movement A kind of chemotaxis has been observed for some shapes. The mechanism of chemotaxis is discussed by studying the internal chemical processes within the shape boundaries.
Suzuki
Keisuke
K
Department of General Systems Sciences, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. ksk@sacral.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Ikegami
Takashi
T
D002462:Cell Membrane; D002465:Cell Movement; D048430:Cell Shape; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008954:Models, Biological