Oscillations, rhythms and synchronized time bases: the key signatures of life

Lloyd, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5656-0571 2021. Oscillations, rhythms and synchronized time bases: the key signatures of life. Stefanovska, Aneta and McClintock, Peter V. E., eds. Physics of Biological Oscillators, Understanding Complex Systems, Understanding Complex Systems, Springer Nature Switzerland AG, pp. 225-244. (10.1007/978-3-030-59805-1_14)

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Abstract

The dynamic complexity of the living state as evident on viewing cells microscopically defies immediate comprehension. Experiment and theory now allows us to approach some of the problems of this organized complexity (and one that embraces inherent functional purpose) characterizing the phenomenon of life. In an irreducible whole, and in a not so far from equilibrium open system, for the most part it works on a low-duty cycle. We can distinguish many types of time-dependent behaviour: e.g., oscillatory, rhythmic, clock-like timekeeping (and synchronized), deterministically chaotic, and self-similar or fractal), all simultaneously proceeding on many time scales. Self-synchronized continuous cultures of yeast represent, until now, the most characterized example of in vivo elucidation of time structure. The predominantly oscillatory behavior of network components becomes evident, with spontaneously synchronized cellular respiration cycles between discrete periods of increased oxygen consumption (oxidative phase) and decreased oxygen consumption (reductive phase). This temperature-compensated ultradian ‘clock’ provides coordination, linking temporally partitioned functions by direct feedback loops between the energetic and redox state of the cell and its growing ultrastructure. This model system represents a basic framework is proposed as a universal cellular principle whereby ultradian rhythms are the synchronizing signatures that organize the coherence of the living state. The current challenge is to devise ever increasingly powerful, but non-invasive (or minimally perturbing) techniques to investigate the living organism.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Publisher:	Springer Nature Switzerland AG
ISBN:	9783030598044
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2022 11:06
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/141800

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