Lloyd Demetrius

The evolutionary dynamics of collective behaviour: From inorganic matter to living matter

Collective behaviour of the atoms and molecules in inorganic matter is described by the statistical parameter thermodynamic entropy, and encoded by the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Collective behaviour of the metabolic units that comprise organic matter is described by the statistical parameter evolutionary entropy, and encoded by the Entropic Principle of Evolution: Evolutionary entropy increases in systems driven by a stable energy source, and decreases in systems driven by a fluctuating energy source.

The relation between the Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Entropic Principle of Evolution will be described.

The origin of cellular life can be described in terms of the transition from inorganic matter to cooperative assemblies of organic matter. The implications of the Second Law and the Entropic Principle for the emergence of cellular life will be delineated.