Abstract
The origin of auto-catalytic networks has been proposed as an initial step in pre-biotic evolution. It is possible to derive simple models where auto-catalytic networks naturally arise from simple chemical mixtures. In order for such a system to develop, there needs to be some degree of stability, what is characterised as `robustness'. We demonstrate that competing systems generate this robustness as they create a distributed network of catalytic pathways.
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Goldstein, R.A. Emergent Robustness in Competition Between Autocatalytic Chemical Networks. Orig Life Evol Biosph 36, 381–389 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11084-006-9014-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11084-006-9014-9