Chemical thermodynamics of growing autocatalytic processes

抄録

Understanding the inherent properties and origins of biological systems based on the laws of physics is a fundamental challenge in biophysics. Among others, identifying the necessary and sufficient conditions of self-replication is essential. In this study, we derive the thermodynamic conditions necessary for self-replication based on our new theory, which geometrically characterizes the conjunction of autocatalytic reactions and volume growth. This theory can be applied to comprehend complex thermodynamic and stoichiometric constraints in growth states and the associated thermal dissipation. Grounded solely on the second law of thermodynamics, this framework is broadly applicable to systems with diverse chemical molecules and reaction kinetics and provides a fundamental thermodynamic basis not only for understanding living systems but also for realizing artificial self-replicating molecular systems.