Cell Language Theory, The: Connecting Mind And Matter

The Bhopalator 55

“6x9” b2861 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter

Figure 3.2 A diagrammatic representation of the theoretical model of the living cell

called the Bhopalator. Reproduced from [15]. The cell can be treated as the physicochemi-

cal system wherein micro-mesoscopic correlations occur under a wide variety of environ-

mental conditions supported by free energy utilizing enzymes or molecular machines. The

Bhopalator consists of 20 major steps: 1 = DNA replication; 2 = transcription; 3 = transla-

tion; 4 = protein folding that J. Monod called “expression”; 5 = substrate binding; 6 =

activation of the enzyme–substrate complex to the transition state; 7 = progression toward

product; 8 = product release contributing to the formation of the IDS (Intracellular

Dissipative Structures; see Section 3.2.1); 9 = recycling of the enzyme; 10 = IDS-induced

changes in DNA structure; 11–18 = feedback interactions mediated by IDS; 19 = input of

substrate into the cell; and 20 = the output of the cell effected by IDSs, which make cell

function and IDSs synonymous.

(20)

(11)

(10)

(12)

(13)

(14)

(9)

(15)

(16)

(17)

(18)

(19)

REPLICATION

(1)

DNA

TRANSCRIPTION

(2)

DISSIPATIVE

STRUCTURES

OF

PRIGOGINE

MUTATION &

RECOMBINATION

PRODUCT

RELEASE

(8)

DEACTIVATION

(7)

(Franck-

Condon Conformon)ACTIVATION

(6) (Binding Conformon)

SUBSTRATE

BINDING

(5)

(Equilibrium 3-D structure)

EXPRESSION

(4)

TRANSLATION

(3)

m-RNA

(Linear Sequence of Amino Acids)

S

1

P

(^123) n
CE
LL^
ME
MBR
ANE
XPY
Z
XY
Z
X
YSY
X
W W Z Y
W
Z
Thus, IDSs are the global properties of the cell, not just those of local
structures. The whole cell is a dissipative structure because most of its
dynamic structures, e.g., membrane potentials, intracellular metabolite,
b2861_Ch-03.indd 55 17-10-2017 11:46:08 AM