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From: "Enzo Di Giulio" <mc5581@mclink.it>
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Subject: Valvular systems
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 17:40:43 +0100
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    Thermodynamics of valvular systems.

    On times of ever new messages coming from the world of micro mechanics
the Feynman model of molecular machine is frequently recalled with its close
relation to Maxwell's demon. But a macromolecular model can be envisaged in
connection with a billiard table.
    The case is well known. If the billiard table is placed in the hall of a
ship and the ship leaves port, soon the rolling will move the balls at
random. For simplicity suppose there is one pocket only. Sooner or later the
jerks will push the balls, one after the other, into the pocket and when the
ships reaches the new port  the disorderly initial configuration will have
turned into a compact collection. Order will have been created at the
expense of disorderly environmental motions. Entropy will have decreased,
with no direct application of energy to the system.
    This is true of every system in which a no-return valve is operating.
Can one speak of a 'thermodynamics of valvular systems"?.
    As valve systems abound in the biological world, could I get the
comments of biopfysicists on this point?






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