Contributions to the Energetics of Animal Growth
119
of an approach to its numerical value. We find it, if we evaluate the energetic
relation between anabolism and conversion in the non-growing animal.
The experiments of P ANDIAN confirm the theoretical conclusion that the
structure energy is distinguished by a very low value of the exponent.
The Character of the "Struktur-Energie"
Here the question arises as to the physical character of this "StrukturEnergie". Physicists have tried to give an answer to this problem. The
living matter represents a state of highly improbable order. For physicists
such states of improbable order are defined by negative entropy. They
therefore see in the structure of the living matter a state of negative entropy.
This physical definition of entropy seems to me not to be applicable to the
order in the living matter. The living matter does not represent a stationary
state, but rather a dynamic state, and the energy consumed for the organization of the living structure is not recovered, if it is destroyed by catabolism.
The living structure is continuously destroyed and rebuilt and there are
no signs that the energy expended for the organization of the living structure
may be regained. From the modified BERTALANFFy-equation (4) it may be
also seen that the "Struktur-Energie" does not reappear in the catabolism.
Therefore we have to see a positive entropy in the "Struktur-Energie".
We may understand the situation easily with an example from our
daily life: The energy wasted for winning and transporting coal from the
mine to our homes is not regained for if we heat our homes with this coal,
it has disappeared as positive entropy.
In connection with the problem of the role of entropy in the living
matter the question arises whether there exists a principal difference between
the energy balance in the organism and in inanimate nature. Are there
processes violating the second principle of thermodynamics? I think there
are now more signs for such an assumption. The living structure does not
represent a state of negative entropy; it is a dynamic state sustained by a
continuous supply of energy which is degraded to positive entropy. The
living state represents a continuous struggle of the organism against the
physical trend toward disorder.
The concept of the "Struktur-Energie" seems to me very important for
the evaluation of experiments on energetics in organisms. As a first example
we may regard the kinetics of an experiment on the utilization of food for
mechanical labor. We find a certain relation between the energy consumed
in the food and the work performed. It is a well known fact that we find a
rather high exploitation of the energy content of the food; but the utilization of the energy by the contractile mechanisms itself is higher. The
muscle oxidizes glycogen for its activity, but this glycogen has first to be
119
of an approach to its numerical value. We find it, if we evaluate the energetic
relation between anabolism and conversion in the non-growing animal.
The experiments of P ANDIAN confirm the theoretical conclusion that the
structure energy is distinguished by a very low value of the exponent.
The Character of the "Struktur-Energie"
Here the question arises as to the physical character of this "StrukturEnergie". Physicists have tried to give an answer to this problem. The
living matter represents a state of highly improbable order. For physicists
such states of improbable order are defined by negative entropy. They
therefore see in the structure of the living matter a state of negative entropy.
This physical definition of entropy seems to me not to be applicable to the
order in the living matter. The living matter does not represent a stationary
state, but rather a dynamic state, and the energy consumed for the organization of the living structure is not recovered, if it is destroyed by catabolism.
The living structure is continuously destroyed and rebuilt and there are
no signs that the energy expended for the organization of the living structure
may be regained. From the modified BERTALANFFy-equation (4) it may be
also seen that the "Struktur-Energie" does not reappear in the catabolism.
Therefore we have to see a positive entropy in the "Struktur-Energie".
We may understand the situation easily with an example from our
daily life: The energy wasted for winning and transporting coal from the
mine to our homes is not regained for if we heat our homes with this coal,
it has disappeared as positive entropy.
In connection with the problem of the role of entropy in the living
matter the question arises whether there exists a principal difference between
the energy balance in the organism and in inanimate nature. Are there
processes violating the second principle of thermodynamics? I think there
are now more signs for such an assumption. The living structure does not
represent a state of negative entropy; it is a dynamic state sustained by a
continuous supply of energy which is degraded to positive entropy. The
living state represents a continuous struggle of the organism against the
physical trend toward disorder.
The concept of the "Struktur-Energie" seems to me very important for
the evaluation of experiments on energetics in organisms. As a first example
we may regard the kinetics of an experiment on the utilization of food for
mechanical labor. We find a certain relation between the energy consumed
in the food and the work performed. It is a well known fact that we find a
rather high exploitation of the energy content of the food; but the utilization of the energy by the contractile mechanisms itself is higher. The
muscle oxidizes glycogen for its activity, but this glycogen has first to be