Zur Chemie phylogenetischer und ontogenetischer Adaptations- und Lernprozesse (informationstheoretisch-quasimolekulares Modell)

Abstract

On the chemistry of phylogenetic and ontogenetic adaptation and learning processes: an information theoretical-quasimolecular model.

Together the organism and its close environment are a closed system with molecular characteristics and can be considered as quasichemical reaction partners. In an animal organism the life processes can be differentiated into controlling and working ones. Here only the controlling systems will be considered. The environment as well represents a controlling system and these two systems can be considered to be reversible in the chemical thermodynamical sense. Furthermore, each adaptation and learning process corresponds to a specific environment. The receptive area of the nerves is called the signal room. x₁ and x₂ are the signal densities before and after the adaptation. The adaptation and learning processes are governed by the following two principles:

1. Principle of information minimums (dominant control) ΔI = ΔI_as - ΔI_or = R・ln x₂/x₁
2. Principle of entropy (information) controlled reversible production of the controlling molecule St_en + St_or ⇌ St_ad

From the principle of information minimums it follows that, as a result of its interaction with the environment, an organism increases its information content. The result of the adaptation process is an «Organism/Environment Associate». In equilibrium the information content of the associate ΔI_as is zero, and the entropy reaches a maximum. All adaptation and learning processes occur spontaneously and voluntarily in spite of the energy-consuming synthesis of the controlling molecule. The information content (adapted controlling molecules St_ad) of the organism increases constantly: I_or > 0. Here information appears as the inverse thermodynamical function of the entropy. I and S are distribution functions for the energy. Entropy is known to be a measure of the unavailability of energy through dispersal. Accordingly, the information is a measure of the unavailability of energy through consolidation. The total biological physical world can be conceived as information-dispersing potential energy. The entropy maximum (S_max = _Imin) is indicated by many Organism/Environment Associates by a highest possible interaction (information or energy exchange) between the elements in the system. An examination of this mechanism of the adaptation process in nature seems to confirm this theory. The dissociation of the Organism/Environment Associates leads to deficiencies which can have, according to the particular system, farreaching consequences.

The two principles (information minimum and reversible production of the controlling molecule) also furnish foundations for the self organization of matter and for the mechanism of evolution. The two principles thus approach a universal meaning in that all chemical, biological and sociological processes appear to be controlled by them. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the present conceptions about the mechanism of mutation being the responsible factor for the structural growth during evolution.