Understanding Symmetry Breaking In Biology

In biology, symmetry breaking refers to the process of breaking of uniformity or reducing the number of points to view invariance in order to produce a more improbable and structured state. It occurs when symmetry with a specific axis is lost in order to create polarity. This polarity helps the biological system in differentiating between different poles along an axis. Cells must first establish polarity by a symmetry-breaking event, before organs and tissues become polar. The fact that symmetry breaking occurs at all scales reflects its importance in biology. It can be found at the subcellular level, macromolecular level, and even at the organ and tissue levels. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of symmetry breaking in biology. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Experts examine the mechanisms by which cells polarize, divide asymmetrically, and produce asymmetric structures, providing examples from bacteria, yeast, plants, invertebrates, and mammals. Discussion include the molecular basis of polarization, mechanisms, and more.

“Symmetry Breaking in Cells and Tissues” presents a collection of seventeen reviews, opinions and original research papers contributed by theoreticians, physicists and mathematicians, as well as experimental biologists, united by a common interest in biological pattern formation and morphogenesis. The contributors discuss diverse manifestations of symmetry breaking in biology and showcase recent developments in experimental and theoretical approaches to biological morphogenesis and pattern formation on multiple scales.

“Symmetry Breaking in Cells and Tissues” presents a collection of seventeen reviews, opinions and original research papers contributed by theoreticians, physicists and mathematicians, as well as experimental biologists, united by a common interest in biological pattern formation and morphogenesis. The contributors discuss diverse manifestations of symmetry breaking in biology and showcase recent developments in experimental and theoretical approaches to biological morphogenesis and pattern formation on multiple scales.

The principle of local activity explains the emergence of complex patterns in a homogeneous medium. At first defined in the theory of nonlinear electronic circuits in a mathematically rigorous way, it can be generalized and proven at least for the class of nonlinear reaction-diffusion systems in physics, chemistry, biology, and brain research. Recently, it was realized by memristors for nanoelectronic device applications. In general, the emergence of complex patterns and structures is explained by symmetry breaking in homogeneous media, which is caused by local activity. This book argues that the principle of local activity is really fundamental in science, and can even be identified in quantum cosmology as symmetry breaking of local gauge symmetries generating the complexity of matter and forces in our universe. Applications are considered in economic, financial, and social systems with the emergence of equilibrium states, symmetry breaking at critical points of phase transitions and risky acting at the edge of chaos./a

This authored monograph introduces a genuinely theoretical approach to biology. Starting point is the investigation of empirical biological scaling including their variability, which is found in the literature, e.g. allometric relationships, fractals, etc. The book then analyzes two different aspects of biological time: first, a supplementary temporal dimension to accommodate proper biological rhythms; secondly, the concepts of protension and retention as a means of local organization of time in living organisms. Moreover, the book investigates the role of symmetry in biology, in view of its ubiquitous importance in physics. In relation with the notion of extended critical transitions, the book proposes that organisms and their evolution can be characterized by continued symmetry changes, which accounts for the irreducibility of their historicity and variability. The authors also introduce the concept of anti-entropy as a measure for the potential of variability, being equally understood as alterations in symmetry. By this, the book provides a mathematical account of Gould's analysis of phenotypic complexity with respect to biological evolution. The target audience primarily comprises researchers interested in new theoretical approaches to biology, from physical, biological or philosophical backgrounds, but the book may also be beneficial for graduate students who want to enter this field.

Symmetry plays an essential role in science - not only in crystallography and quantum theory, where its role has long been explicitly recognized, but also in condensed-matter physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, biology, and others. This text discusses the concept of symmetry and its application to many areas of science. While it includes a detailed introduction to the theory of groups, which forms the mathematical apparatus for describing symmetries, it also includes a much more general discussion of the nature of symmetry and its role in science. Many problems serve to sharpen the reader's understanding, and an extensive bibliography concludes the book.

The Symposium "Symmetries in Science II" was held at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, during the period March 24-26, 1986, following the Einstein Centennial Symposium "Symmetries in Science" after a lapse of seven years. As it was the case for the original Symposium, the 1986 Symposium was truly interdisciplinary and truly international. I wish to thank all participants who made the. effort to come to Carbondale, Illinois, from allover the world. At this point I also wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Albert Somit, President of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and Dr. John C. Guyon, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Their generous support and encouragement was instrumental in getting the Symposium organized. In addition I wish to thank Associate Vice President Charles B. Klasek, Dr. Russell R. Dutcher, Dean of the College of Science, John H. Yopp, Associate Dean, College of Science, Dr. Subir K. Bose, Chairman of the Physics Department, Dr. James Tyrrell, Chairman of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Jared H. Dorn, Director of International Programs and Services, Dr. Rhonda Jo Vinson, Director of International and Economic Development, Dr. Tommy T. Dunagan, Vice President of Sigma Xi at Southern Illinois University, Dr. George Garoian, Professor of Zoology, Dr. Ann Phillippi, Assistant Professor of Zoology and Dr. Linda R. Gannon, Coordinator of Women's Studies, for their support and assistance.