Sum Up So Far
Tom Hendricks
My hypothesis is that catabolic and anabolic processes often evolve
separately.
Here is another post on it. Once we see that each side has often
evolved separately we can see that each aspect of life has a different
mix of catabolic and anabolic processes. That means that everything
from single cell to a large biome, will have a different mix with some
cells, organelles, organisms, species, and biomes are more catabolic
than others. That can offer some real insight into all aspects of
life.
Notes to consider:
1. Catabolic and anabolic often have separate regulation. That gives
quicker, more flexible, and overall better regulation than if a single
system ruled both.
2. Catabolism has evolved in many ways. Note that there are different
catabolic systems to break down each of these: fats, proteins, sugars,
starches.
3. Catabolism has evolved such that all fuel is not used
immediately. We can store fat till it's needed. Catabolism kicks in
when its needed, not when it is a waste of the cell's energy.
4. Catabolism has evolved to produce powerful digestive enzymes. These
need to be separate to protect the rest of the cell. I suggest that
catabolism has also evolved to attacking non-self with similar
digestive enzymes, and it has evolved to processes of excreting waste
out. Therefore look to digestion, protection, and waste out processes
for main areas of the evolution of catabolism processes.
5. Natural selection seems to favor little change when something
works well. But when the catabolic side improves, there should be
pressure on the other anabolic side to change to match. And vice
versa. This suggests a process of change that is not from mutation,
but from within the organism.
6. Catabolic and anabolic processes are so opposite that it seems
difficult to see how they would both start up. The best guess is that
these two different processes are the reflection of some duality in
the environment. My suggestion is either the day - night cycle, and /
or a wet-dry cycle.
7. Each aspect of life on every level should have a different mix of
catabolic and anabolic processes. If they did not then all living
things would have the same constant proportion of catabolic / anabolic
that never changes or evolves. That is not true.
8. We can get insight into all aspects of life by comparing those
aspects that are highly catabolic - more catabolic than anabolic, as
compared with those aspects of life that are highly anabolic.