Eigen Model Research Articles

Some principles governing selection in self-reproducing macromolecular systems. An analog of Fisher's fundamental theorem.

Starting with Eigen's model we discuss some principles pertaining to the selection of biological macromolecules. The principles have a certain analogy to Fisher's fundamental theorem for natural selection.

Effect of pressure on sulfate ion association and ultrasonic absorption in sea water

Recent studies on sea water indicated that an increase in pressure of 1000 atm produces a small increase in the concentration of MgSO 4 ion-pairs; this is opposite to the effect observed in aqueous solutions of MgSO 4 alone. This increase has been assumed to imply a corresponding increase with pressure of ultrasonic absorption due to MgSO 4 in sea water, in contrast to the large decrease observed in aqueous solutions. A detailed calculation based on the Eigen and Tamm multistate dissociation model shows, however, that a decrease in ultrasonic absorption with pressure still occurs even though the concentration of ion-pairs increases

Relaxation Phenomena in Electrolytic Solutions

Sound velocity and absorption measurements were made in a number of aqueous electrolytic solutions, principally the 2–2 valent sulfates. Ultrasonic pulse measurements were used in the frequency region 30–900 MHz, and the technique of Brillouin light scattering was employed in a number of measurements between 6000 and 7000 MHz. In several of the solutions studied, the ultrasonic data indicate the existence of two relaxation processes with relaxation times lying in the range 5 × 10−9–2 × 10−10 sec. These two relaxations, considered together with the previously observed long relaxation time process, can be interpreted in terms of the Diebler–Eigen model of ionic association which predicts three relaxation processes. The shortest relaxation time process was identified with the diffusion controlled approach of the hydrated ions. The calculation of the appropriate reaction rate constants using data by other workers below 50 MHz and the present data above 50 MHz was carried out. The results are compared with earlier results based on data taken below 200 MHz.