A general theory for temperature dependence in biology

Area of Science:

• Thermodynamics
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Current models lack a first principles-based, general approach for biological temperature responses.
• Existing theories do not fully capture the complexity of enzyme kinetics across temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To derive a general, first principles-based theory for biological temperature dependence.
• To develop a model predicting temperature responses from molecular to ecological scales.
• To identify universal characteristics of biological temperature response curves.

Main Methods:

• Applied Eyring-Evans-Polanyi theory for chemical reaction rates.
• Incorporated changes in molecular conformational entropy with temperature.
• Derived an exponential function modified by a power law for enzyme kinetics.

Main Results:

• Developed a model describing asymmetric biological temperature response curves.
• Demonstrated universal relationships and data collapse across diverse biological rates.
• Identified a general optimal temperature of approximately 25°C for biological processes.
• Validated the model with empirical data from viruses to mammals.

Conclusions:

• The derived theory provides an analytical framework for biological temperature dependence.
• The model successfully bridges quantum and classical scales in biological systems.
• Offers a simple, predictive tool for understanding temperature impacts on life.