Remarks on autocatalysis and autopoiesis

Area of Science:

• Theoretical biology
• Systems chemistry
• Origin of life studies

Background:

• Collective autocatalysis describes reaction networks where products catalyze their own formation.
• Autopoiesis refers to self-producing and self-maintaining systems, crucial for understanding life's origins.
• The precise relationship and distinction between these concepts remain areas for clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the relationship between collective autocatalysis and autopoiesis.
• To propose a refined definition of autopoiesis.
• To offer a heuristic test for distinguishing between the two concepts.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and theoretical definition.
• Development of a heuristic test for empirical or model system evaluation.
• Review and analysis of existing abstract or model systems (Alchemy, alpha-universes, Tierra, SCL).

Main Results:

• Autopoiesis is characterized as collective autocatalysis augmented by spatial individuation.
• A key distinction lies in autopoiesis requiring self-produced confinement mechanisms that are products of the reaction network itself.
• A heuristic test is proposed to differentiate between merely collectively autocatalytic and truly autopoietic systems.

Conclusions:

• Autopoiesis represents a more complex organizational level than collective autocatalysis, incorporating self-generated spatial boundaries.
• The proposed distinction and test provide a framework for analyzing and classifying self-organizing systems.
• Analysis of model systems like Tierra and SCL through this framework offers insights into the emergence of autopoietic properties.