Criterion of evolution

Inequalities (3.2) and (3.3) are generalizations of the principle of the minimal entropy production rate in the course of spontaneous evolution of its system to the stationary state. They are independent of any assump tions on the nature of interrelations of fluxes and forces under the condi tions of the local equilibrium. Expression (3.2), due to its very general nature, is referred to as the Qlansdorf-Prigogine universal criterion of evolution. The criterion implies that in any nonequilibrium system with the fixed boundary conditions, the spontaneous processes lead to a decrease in the rate of changes of the entropy production rate induced by spontaneous variations in thermodynamic forces due to processes inside the system (i.e., due to the changes in internal variables). The equals sign in expres sion (3.2) refers to the stationary state. 

Obviously, the Glansdorf Prigogine universal criterion of evolution (3.2) is an indirect consequence of the Second Law of thermodynamics for... 

Coevolution is defined as reciprocal stepwise adaptations between at least two species (Ehrlich and Raven, 1964). Coevolution without the criterion of reciprocity is indistinguishable from evolution and hence a useless concept (Lindroth, 1988). Consider the following scenario. A plant develops effective antiherbivore defenses. In response, a herbivore counteradapts to circumvent these defenses and is at a competitive advantage over other herbivores. The plant, in turn, responds to this breach of its defenses. In insects, such pairwise reciprocal evolution can take the form of a chemical arms race (Dawkins and Krebs, 1979). Coevolution differs from evolution by being narrower, with fewer participants, perhaps even only two species or two populations. In reality, in most ecosystems, many species prey on many other species. Therefore, we can at best speak of diffuse coevolution, with a number of participants that exert diluted selection pressures. 

In more recent studies, Jacobs, Tompkins and Young [136] examined the rate of evolution of nitrogen from barium azide as a criterion of the rate of photolysis, and have shown the reaction to be more complex than was previously indicated. A mechanism for the photolysis involving the production and reaction of both exci-tons and positive holes has been formulated. 

It is safe to say that most of the scientific skepticism about Darwinism in the past century has centered on this requirement. From Mivart s concern over the incipient stages of new structures to Margulis s dismissal of gradual evolution, critics of Darwin have suspected that his criterion of failure had been met. But how can we be confident What type of biological system could not be formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications)) ... 

The occurrence of SOD in photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic and anaerobic and aerobic organisms can again provide a useful criterion for evolution studies. Figure 12 shows a number of hypotheses which can be postulated for such an evolution (24, 27). The second scheme has been favored (24). As with the iron-sulfur proteins, there seems to be an important transition between the anaerobic and the aerobic phase of life it is possible that the red non-sulfur bacteria provide key transition-type organisms, probably in parallel, with the sulfate and nitrate... 

Therefore, the principle of the minimal rate of entropy production appears to be the quantitative criterion (i.e., the necessary and sufficient condition) to determine the direction of spontaneous evolutions in any open systems near their thermodynamic equifibrium. In other words, this is the quanti tative criterion of the evolution of a system toward its stationary state. In an isothermal system, the principle of the minimum of the entropy production rate is fuUy identical to the principle of the minimum of the energy dissipation rate. The last principle was formulated by L. Onsager... 

The Onsager reciprocal relations are not satisfied in open strongly non equilibrium systems. As a result, the assumption on minimization of the entropy production rate is not substantiated. Therefore, the universal criterion of the system that is evolution far from equilibrium should be a generalization of the principle of the minimized entropy production rate in specific terms of nonlinear thermodynamics. 

Far from equilibrium, the linear Onsager relations are not satisfied, so partial differentials dxP and djP are no longer total differentials. Hence, variations of parameter P in time depend on the transition route and are not applicable as an unambiguous criterion of the system evolution. How ever, Glansdorf and Prigogine demonstrated that far from equilibrium, any spontaneous evolution is characterized by a monotone decrease in the partial force differential dxP expressed as the inequahty... 

And then he trembles as the thrust of evolution, carried by its own momentum, passes the threshold where innocence ceases and an entirely new criterion of success and failure takes hold of the divine stake. The advent of man means the advent of knowledge and freedom, and with this supremely double-edged gift the... 

Evolution requires three processes (1) the generation of a diverse population, (2) the selection of members based on some criterion of fitness, and (3) reproduction to enrich the population in more fit members (Section 2.2). Nucleic acid molecules are capable of undergoing all three processes in vitro under appropriate conditions. The results of such studies enable us to glimpse how evolutionary processes might have generated catalytic activities and specific binding abilities—important biochemical functions in all living systems. 

Evolution requires three processes (1) the generation of a diverse population, (2) the selection of members based on some criterion of fitness, and (3) reproduction to enrich the population in more fit members (Section 2.2). 

Hennig was very critical of clustering procedures, as mere morphological similarity is not a reliable criterion for relationships. He doubted, for example, that morphometric data contained useful phylogenetic information and pointed out that the rate of evolution differs in different organisms (Hennig, 1982 91). In this context he cited Bigelow ... 

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