Evolutionary Essays (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Evolutionary Essays: A Thermodynamic Interpretation of the Evolution 4
Copyright Page 5
Table of Contents 6
Preface 10
Prelude 14
Part 1 First Movement Thermodynamics, Ecosystems and the Evolutionary Mechanisms 16
Chapter 1 An introduction to thermodynamics and information theory 18
1.1 Introduction 18
1.2 Thermodynamics and ecosystems 18
1.3 Physical openness 19
1.4 The second law of thermodynamics interpreted for open systems 21
1.5 The third law of thermodynamics applied on open systems 24
1.6 What is exergy? 26
1.7 Eco-exergy and information 32
1.8 Dissipative structure and exergy 33
1.9 How to calculate exergy of organic matter and organisms? 34
1.10 Why living systems have such a high level of exergy? 40
1.11 Towards a consistent ecosystem theory 41
1.12 Exergy balances for the utilization of solar radiation 53
Chapter 2 Thermodynamics and the evolutionary processes 56
2.1 Evolution and constraints 56
2.2 Evolution and the genes 59
2.3 The arrow of the evolution 62
2.4 The temperature range needed for carbon-based life processes 63
2.5 Natural conditions for life 64
2.6 The evolution and the growth of information 68
2.7 Is life a miracle? 72
Chapter 3 The evolutionary mechanisms 76
3.1 Introduction 76
3.2 Four inheritance systems 80
3.3 The darwinism and neo-darwinism 81
3.4 The epigenetic inheritance system 84
3.5 The behavioural inheritance system 86
3.6 The symbolic inheritance system 86
3.7 The semantic evolution 87
3.8 Illustration of the roles of the various evolutionary mechanisms 88
3.9 Illustration of the role of conjugations 94
Chapter 4 Extreme environments 100
4.1 Introduction 100
4.2 The deep sea 101
4.3 Inter-tidal fishes 103
4.4 Carnivorous plants 104
4.5 Winter moths 105
4.6 Deep caves 106
4.7 Sub-glacial lakes 107
Part 2 Second Movement History of the Biological Evolution from a Thermodynamic Point of View 108
Chapter 5 The evolution of the universe 110
5.1 The cosmic evolution 110
5.2 The probability to find life elsewhere in the universe 112
Chapter 6 From inorganic to poly-organic compounds 116
6.1 Formation of small organic molecules 116
6.2 Formation of polymer organic molecules 118
Chapter 7 From poly-organic molecules to eukaryote cells 122
7.1 The first steps towards a biochemistry 122
7.2 The prokaryote cells 123
7.3 The eukaryote cells emerge 124
Chapter 8 Polycellular organization and the Cambrian Explosion 128
8.1 Differentiation 128
8.2 The cambrian explosion 129
Chapter 9 From the Ordovician period to the Jurassic period 134
9.1 Fish, vascular plants including ferns and insects 134
9.2 The first tetrapods and amphibians 136
9.3 The emergence of amniotes 137
Chapter 10 The evolution from dinosaurs to birds and mammals 140
10.1 Realm of dinosaurs 140
10.2 Birds 141
10.3 The mammals 142
10.4 The role of the size 143
Chapter 11 From primates to humans 146
11.1 From early primates to hominoids 146
11.2 From anthropoid apes to humans 147
Part 3 Third Movement A Holistic, Thermodynamic Interpretation of the Evolution 150
Chapter 12 The three growth forms and the evolution 152
12.1 Introduction 152
12.2 The three growth forms, applied on aquatic ecosystems 153
Chapter 13 The evolution of diversity 160
13.1 The role of diversity 160
13.2 The evolutionary development of the biodiversity 160
Chapter 14 Eco-exergy and ascendency 164
14.1 Introduction 164
14.2 Ascendency and connections 165
14.3 Calculations of energy and eco-exergy-based ascendency 167
Chapter 15 The evolution of networks 174
15.1 The horizontal evolution 174
15.2 Presentation of a possible and probable evolution of networks 175
15.3 The thermodynamic interpretation of the horizontal evolution 191
Chapter 16 Summary of the evolution of eco-exergy and discussion of the evolutionary possibilities in the future 194
16.1 Overview of the vertical evolution 194
16.2 The information society 198
16.3 The future 198
Coda: A holistic and thermodynamic interpretation of the evolution 202
Coda 1 Introduction 202
Coda 2 The evolution of biomass and the amount of energy captured by the ecosystems 203
Coda 3 The evolution of information stored in the most advanced organisms and in the ecosystems 204
Coda 4 The evolution of the eco-exergy flow rate 205
Coda 5 Vertical and horizontal evolution 205
References 208
Index 214