Arango-Restrepo Andrés, Rubi J Miguel
Condensed Matter Department, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Entropy (Basel). 2024 Mar 5;26(3):231. doi: 10.3390/e26030231.
Symmetry breaking is a phenomenon that is observed in various contexts, from the early universe to complex organisms, and it is considered a key puzzle in understanding the emergence of life. The importance of this phenomenon is underscored by the prevalence of enantiomeric amino acids and proteins.The presence of enantiomeric amino acids and proteins highlights its critical role. However, the origin of symmetry breaking has yet to be comprehensively explained, particularly from an energetic standpoint. This article explores a novel approach by considering energy dissipation, specifically lost free energy, as a crucial factor in elucidating symmetry breaking. By conducting a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis applicable across scales, ranging from elementary particles to aggregated structures such as crystals, we present experimental evidence establishing a direct link between nonequilibrium free energy and energy dissipation during the formation of the structures. Results emphasize the pivotal role of energy dissipation, not only as an outcome but as the trigger for symmetry breaking. This insight suggests that understanding the origins of complex systems, from cells to living beings and the universe itself, requires a lens focused on nonequilibrium processes.
对称性破缺是一种在从早期宇宙到复杂生物体等各种背景中都能观察到的现象，它被认为是理解生命起源的一个关键难题。对映体氨基酸和蛋白质的普遍存在凸显了这一现象的重要性。对映体氨基酸和蛋白质的存在突出了其关键作用。然而，对称性破缺的起源尚未得到全面解释，特别是从能量角度来看。本文探索了一种新方法，即将能量耗散，特别是自由能损失，视为阐明对称性破缺的关键因素。通过进行适用于从基本粒子到晶体等聚集结构的跨尺度综合热力学分析，我们提供了实验证据，证明在结构形成过程中非平衡自由能与能量耗散之间存在直接联系。结果强调了能量耗散的关键作用，它不仅是一个结果，也是对称性破缺的触发因素。这一见解表明，理解从细胞到生物乃至宇宙本身等复杂系统的起源，需要关注非平衡过程。
