Progress in Theoretical Biology

List of Contributors

Preface

Erwin Schrödinger

Chemical Evolution

I. Introduction

II. Organic Geochemistry

III. Prebiotic Chemistry

IV. Dehydration Condensation Reactions

V. Generation of Order and New Information

VI. Conclusion

References

Biological Self-Replicating Systems

I. Introduction and Definitions

II. Limits and Constraints on Self-Replicating Entities

III. Universal Features Characterizing Living Systems

IV. The Theoretical Minimum Cell

References

Quantitative Aspects of Goal-Seeking Self-Organizing Systems

I. Constraints versus Requirements

II. Quantitative Aspects of the Genetic System

References

Statistical Thermodynamics of Polymerization and Polymorphism of Protein

Introduction

I. Polymerization as Crystallization

II. Two States of Monomers and One Type of Polymer

III. Two Types of Polymers

IV. Polymers Composed of Two Kinds of Monomers

V. Effect of Nucleus

VI. Kinetic Analysis

VII. Comparison with Experiment

VIII. Concluding Remarks

References

The Role of Models in Theoretical Biology

I. Models of Biological Systems

II. Mathematical Modeling Theory

III. Physical Analogs of Organisms

IV. Artificial Organs

V. Numerical and Kinetic Models

VI. Cybernetic Models

VII. Simulation of Physiological Regulation

VIII. Neurophysiological Models

IX. Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Models of Thought

X. Self-Organizing Systems and Bionics

XI. Abstract and Axiomatic Models

XII. The Role of Biological Modeling

References

Author Index

Subject Index