Hypercycle (chemistry)

A hypercycle

In chemistry, a hypercycle is an abstract model of organization of self-replicating molecules connected in a cyclic, autocatalytic manner. It was introduced in an ordinary differential equation (ODE) form by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Manfred Eigen in 1971[1] and subsequently further extended in collaboration with Peter Schuster.[2][3] It was proposed as a solution to the error threshold problem encountered during modelling of replicative molecules that hypothetically existed on the primordial Earth (see: abiogenesis). As such, it explained how life on Earth could have begun using only relatively short genetic sequences, which in theory were too short to store all essential information.[3] The hypercycle is a special case of the replicator equation.[4] The most important properties of hypercycles are autocatalytic growth competition between cycles, once-for-ever selective behaviour, utilization of small selective advantage, rapid evolvability, increased information capacity, and selection against parasitic branches.[1]

  1. ^ a b Eigen, Manfred (October 1971). "Selforganization of matter and the evolution of biological macromolecules". Die Naturwissenschaften. 58 (10): 465–523. Bibcode:1971NW.....58..465E. doi:10.1007/BF00623322. PMID 4942363. S2CID 38296619.
  2. ^ Schuster, M. Eigen; P. (1979). The Hypercycle : a principle of natural self-organization (Reprint. ed.). Berlin [West] [u.a.]: Springer. ISBN 9783540092933.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b Eigen, M.; Schuster, P. (1982). "Stages of emerging life — Five principles of early organization". Journal of Molecular Evolution. 19 (1): 47–61. Bibcode:1982JMolE..19...47E. doi:10.1007/BF02100223. PMID 7161810. S2CID 31907187.
  4. ^ Schuster, Peter; Sigmund, Karl (February 1983). "Replicator dynamics". Journal of Theoretical Biology. 100 (3): 533–538. Bibcode:1983JThBi.100..533S. doi:10.1016/0022-5193(83)90445-9.