12.4 Dynamics of Information Storage and Transfer
551
12.4 Dynamics of Information Storage and Transfer
Information storage and transfer is central to life, both in reproduction and in the
activity of life. Figure 12.2 shows what is involved in the processing, storing and
utilization of information. The diagram applies to life forms, to computers, to the
expression of DNA, and to very general systems. 10
The essential elements are: (1) An energy flow through the system if information
is gained from outside the system; (2) Entities that hold the information needed
to process incoming information and material; (3) A decoder and transmitter to
transport information to (4) A receiver and interpreter that links to (5) an analyzer;
(6) An actuator that acts on the information; (7) for cyclic processes that store
information or do work, a sink to dump heat. Also, some systems will have one
or more sensory inputs together with discriminators to filter the sensory input.
During the sequence of information processing, background and system noise will
be present to some degree, although digital systems are designed to be relatively
immune to degradation by noise. On the other hand, life systems which have
progressed by evolution take advantage of variations due to the noise that causes
a low level of mutation. The analyzer has alternate names: ‘Decider’, ‘Comparer’,
‘Weigher’, ‘Computer’, and ‘Brain’. An intelligent analyzer will have ‘Anticipation
Fig. 12.2 Framework for information-transfer systems
10 In fact, information and storage systems are a class of ordering processes described in Chap. 15.
551
12.4 Dynamics of Information Storage and Transfer
Information storage and transfer is central to life, both in reproduction and in the
activity of life. Figure 12.2 shows what is involved in the processing, storing and
utilization of information. The diagram applies to life forms, to computers, to the
expression of DNA, and to very general systems. 10
The essential elements are: (1) An energy flow through the system if information
is gained from outside the system; (2) Entities that hold the information needed
to process incoming information and material; (3) A decoder and transmitter to
transport information to (4) A receiver and interpreter that links to (5) an analyzer;
(6) An actuator that acts on the information; (7) for cyclic processes that store
information or do work, a sink to dump heat. Also, some systems will have one
or more sensory inputs together with discriminators to filter the sensory input.
During the sequence of information processing, background and system noise will
be present to some degree, although digital systems are designed to be relatively
immune to degradation by noise. On the other hand, life systems which have
progressed by evolution take advantage of variations due to the noise that causes
a low level of mutation. The analyzer has alternate names: ‘Decider’, ‘Comparer’,
‘Weigher’, ‘Computer’, and ‘Brain’. An intelligent analyzer will have ‘Anticipation
Fig. 12.2 Framework for information-transfer systems
10 In fact, information and storage systems are a class of ordering processes described in Chap. 15.