Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.05093 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1866909916184182784 |
|---|---|
| author | ter Burg, Cathelijne Zwicker, David |
| author_facet | ter Burg, Cathelijne Zwicker, David |
| contents | Patterns are ubiquitous in nature, but how they form is often unclear. Turing developed a seminal theory to explain patterns based on reactions that counteract the equalizing tendency of diffusion. These reactions require continuous energy input since the system otherwise would proceed to equilibrium, but what systems are energy-efficient is currently unclear. To address this question, we introduce a thermodynamically-consistent model of a Turing system. We reveal that repulsive interactions between the stereotypical activator and inhibitor reduce energy requirements significantly. Interestingly, efficient patterns occur for weak activity, albeit at reduced amplitude. Our results suggest that physical interactions might be central in forming natural patterns. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_05093 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Physical interactions enable energy-efficient Turing patterns ter Burg, Cathelijne Zwicker, David Biological Physics Patterns are ubiquitous in nature, but how they form is often unclear. Turing developed a seminal theory to explain patterns based on reactions that counteract the equalizing tendency of diffusion. These reactions require continuous energy input since the system otherwise would proceed to equilibrium, but what systems are energy-efficient is currently unclear. To address this question, we introduce a thermodynamically-consistent model of a Turing system. We reveal that repulsive interactions between the stereotypical activator and inhibitor reduce energy requirements significantly. Interestingly, efficient patterns occur for weak activity, albeit at reduced amplitude. Our results suggest that physical interactions might be central in forming natural patterns. |
| title | Physical interactions enable energy-efficient Turing patterns |
| topic | Biological Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.05093 |