Magnetism, entropy, and the first nano-machines

Abstract

The efficiency of bio-molecular motors stems from reversible interactions $\sim$ $k_{B}T$; weak bonds stabilizing intermediate states (enabling $direct$ conversion of chemical into mechanical energy). For their (unknown) origins, we suggest that a magnetically structured phase (MSP) formed via accretion of super-paramagnetic particles (S-PPs) by magnetic rocks on the Hadean Ocean floor had hosted motor-like diffusion of ligand-bound S-PPs through its template-layers; its ramifications range from optical activity to quantum coherence. A gentle flux gradient offers both detailed-balance breaking non-equilibrium and $asymmetry$ to a magnetic dipole, undergoing infinitesimal spin-alignment changes. Periodic perturbation of this background by local H-fields of template-partners can lead to periodic high and low-template affinity states, due to the dipole's magnetic degree of freedom. An accompanying magnetocaloric effect allows interchange between system-entropy and bath temperature. We speculate on a magnetic reproducer in a setting close to the mound-scenario of Russell and coworkers that could evolve bio- ratchets.

17 pages, 1 figure

References in corpus (6)

• Brownian motors
• Magnetic properties of colloidal suspensions of interacting magnetic particles
• Magnetism, FeS colloids, and Origins of Life
• Can magnetism-assisted quasiperiodic structures in Russell-FeS `bubbles' offer a quantum coherent origin of life?
• Quantum Zeno Effect in Radical-Ion-Pair Recombination Reactions
• Noiseless limit of a ferrofluid ratchet

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Magnetism, FeS colloids, and Origins of Life
• Softening the "crystal-scaffold" for life's emergence
• A testable hypothesis on the possible role of electron spin in the origin of bio-homochirality