Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

High-Throughput Assays of Critical Thermal Limits in Insects
Published on: June 15, 2020
[Heat barriers in progressive evolution of animals and humans]
A A Zotin1, I Lamprecht, A I Zotin
1Kol'tsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
The principle of fastest descent in thermodynamics of nonequilbrium processes is a physical foundation of progressive evolution of animals and humans. We present a curve of bioenergetic progress of animals and demonstrate that movement along this curve form a certain moment is only possible if "the first heat barrier" is overcome, which corresponds to the intensity of animal respiration (coefficient a 5-6 mWt/g). Overcoming this barrier is related to the development of thermoregulation and appearance of homoiothermic animals. "The second heat barrier" (coefficient a about 45-50 mWt/g) is related to heating of the animal body up to the damaging temperatures and this barrier is overcome as a result of conscious activity and the appearance of human civilization. The possibility of "the third heat barrier" is discussed as a result of energy production by industry. Overcoming of "the third heat barrier" is possible through assimilation of the space and transfer in the space of energy-producing industry.
Related Concept Videos
Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers
Limits to Natural Selection
What is Evolutionary History?
The Evidence for Evolution
Convergent Evolution
Evolutionary Psychology

