AN ENTROPY MODEL FOR BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

The similarity between the entropy balance equation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics and the classical balance equations of chemical reaction kinetics or allometric biological growth models is used to construct an entropy model for biological systems. In this model the entropy transport rate is assumed to be proportional to surface area and the entropy production rate is assumed to be proportional to system volume. It is also hypothesize that, at any time (age), the entropy transport and production rates depend directly upon the instantaneous value of the system total entropy. The resulting entropy rate balance can then be solved uniquely for the total system entropy as a function of lime (age). Also, it is postulated that all living systems are characterized by a continuously, decreasing total entropy level, and that biological death occurs at some minimum total entropy value. The time required to reach this minimum is the lilespan of the biological system.