Int. J. Dev. Biol. 41: 917 - 921 (1997)

Vol 41, Issue 6

Special Issue: Developmental Biology in Russia

Phenomenological theory of ontogenesis

Published: 1 December 1997

A A Zotin and A I Zotin

Kol'tsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.

Abstract

In accordance to Prigogine-Wiame and phenomenological theories of ontogenesis, a continuous decreasing of specific entropy production measured by the intensity of heat production or respiration takes place during development, growth and aging. There are periods in the life of organisms when reverse processes occur: (initial stages of oogenesis, regeneration and malignant growth). The phenomenological theory of ontogenesis demonstrates that physical bases of individual development are characterized by two thermodynamic principles: minimum energy dissipation and fastest descent.