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A model for the origin of life

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Summary

A simple statistical model is constructed, describing the transition from disorder to order in a population of mutually catalytic molecules undergoing random mutations. The consequences of the model are calculated, and its possible relevance to the problem of the origin of life is discussed. The main conclusion of the analysis is that the model allows populations of several thousand molecular units to make the transition from disorder to order with reasonable probability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Advanced Study, 08540, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

    Freeman J. Dyson

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  1. Freeman J. Dyson
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Dyson, F.J. A model for the origin of life. J Mol Evol 18, 344–350 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01733901

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01733901

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