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The Emergence of Living Functions from Molecules

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Symmetries in Science IV

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Abstract

A first experimental retracement of the transition from appropriate prebiotic matter (thermal protein) to polybiofunctional protocells is discussed. (Many details are necessarily presented in the references). The experiments suggest a molecular matrix that fits well with Schrodinger’s “statistico-determinism.” The primary source of information is inferred to be the molecular selection involved in an ancient system displayed by laboratory protocells. The phenomena are judged as more primitive than modern, but as a group they are quite comprehensive. The total model provides a basis for defining some of the problems of living systems relative to symmetry and symmetry-breaking.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Molecular and Cellular Evolution, University of Miami, 33177, Miami, FL, USA

    Sidney W. Fox

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  1. Sidney W. Fox
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA

    Bruno Gruber  & John H. Yopp  & 

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© 1990 Plenum Press, New York

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Fox, S.W. (1990). The Emergence of Living Functions from Molecules. In: Gruber, B., Yopp, J.H. (eds) Symmetries in Science IV. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0597-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0597-2_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7884-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0597-2

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