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How Life Works-A Continuous Seebeck-Peltier Transition in Cell Membrane?
Umberto Lucia1, Giulia Grisolia1
1Dipartimento Energia "Galileo Ferraris", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 8, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a non-equilibrium thermodynamic model for life, emphasizing cell membrane functions. It reveals a direct link between heat exchange and membrane electric potential, crucial for understanding cellular processes.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Life processes involve complex energy and matter exchange.
- Cell membranes play a critical role in regulating these exchanges.
- Existing models may not fully capture the dynamic thermodynamic nature of cellular systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a non-equilibrium thermodynamic framework for understanding life.
- To elucidate the specific role of the cell membrane in thermodynamic processes.
- To explore the relationship between thermal and ionic transport across cell membranes.
Main Methods:
- Application of non-equilibrium thermodynamics.
- Introduction of Onsager phenomenological coefficients.
- Analysis of cell membrane electric potential, ion fluxes, and heat fluxes.
Main Results:
- Thermophysical properties of cell systems are described using Onsager coefficients.
- A strong correlation between heat exchange and cell membrane electric potential is established.
- Seebeck-like and Peltier-like effects are identified, simplifying flux descriptions.
Conclusions:
- Life can be viewed as a continuous transition between Seebeck-like and Peltier-like thermodynamic states.
- The cell membrane electric potential is fundamental to life's thermodynamic regulation.
- This approach provides new insights into the physical basis of life.
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