Structure for Energy Cycle: A unique status of Second Law of Thermodynamics for living systems

Abstract

AbstractDistinguishing things from beings, or matters from lives, is a fundamental question. Extending E. Schrödinger’sneg-entropyand I. Prigogine’sdissipative structure, we propose a chemical kinetic view that the earliest “live” process is essentially a special interaction between a pair of specific components under a corresponding, particular environmental conditions. The interaction exists as an inter-molecular-force-bond complex (IMFBC) that couples two separate chemical processes: One is the spontaneous formation of an IMFBC driven by the decrease of Gibbs free energy as a dissipative process; while the other is the disassembly of the IMFBC driven thermodynamically by free energy input from the environment. The two processes that are coupled by the IMFBC were originated independently and considered non-living on Earth, but the IMFBC coupling of the two can be considered as the earliest form of metabolism: This forms the first landmark on the path from things to a being. The dynamic formation and dissemblance of the IMFBCs, as composite individuals, follows a principle designated as “… structure for energy for structure for energy…”, the cycle continues, shortly “structure for energy cycle”. With additional features derived from an IMFBC, such as multiple intermediates, autocatalytic ability of one individual upon the formation of another, aqueous medium, and mutual beneficial relationship between formation of polypeptides and nucleic acids, etc., the IMFBC-centered “live” process spontaneously evolved into more complex living organisms with the characteristics one currently knows.