title: Self-organization in dissipative structures: a thermodynamic theory for the emergence of prebiotic cells and their epigenetic evolution.
abstract: This paper presents a discussion on self-organization processes in dissipative structures, in order to highlight the general conditions for raising complexity and generate order. In particular, some concepts were introduced from non-equilibrium thermodynamics and from the Molecular Anamorphic Evolution Theory, especially concerning processes of matter randomization. Once a theoretical thermodynamics-based framework for understanding self-organizing systems had been presented, a spontaneous transition from macrostates richer in microstates to macrostates poorer in microstates was explained, as an attempt to point out the probable existing conditions at the formation of prebiotic structures. Closed systems, constrained by a lipid bilayer and with an internal water environment, were presented as cases of self-organization towards living systems. It was then highlighted that the origin of life depends on epigenetic and autopoietic processes, since metabolism plays a more relevant role than replication in making novelties emerge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pulselli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Simoncini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tiezzi
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D000069497:Origin of Life; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D014867:Water