Abstract
THE application of the traditional, macroscopic arguments of thermodynamics to very small systems (for instance, using individual cross bridges to generate force in striated muscle, which use “one molecule of ATP at a time”1), has been questioned2. It is demonstrated here that they cannot be applied to very small systems without very drastic modification. That is because of the requirements of quantum theory and information theory. The modifications are substantial and inescapable for systems such as individual cross bridges although they become negligible for macroscopic systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McClare, C. W. F., Nature, 240, 88 (1972).
Wilkie, D. R., Nature, 242, 606 (1973).
Brillouin, L., Sciences and Information Theory (Academic, New York, 1962).
Huxley, A. F., Chem. Br., 6, 477 (1970).
Lipman, F., Adv. Enzymol., 1, 99 (1941).
Popper, K. R., Br. J. phil. Sci., 8, 151 (1957).
McClare, C. W. F., J. theor. Biol., 30, 1 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GRAY, B. Reversibility and biological machines. Nature 253, 436–437 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253436a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/253436a0
This article is cited by
-
Definitions of free energy levels in biochemical reactions
Nature (1976)
-
Reversibility and biological machines
Nature (1975)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.