Understanding the Energy Cost of Cellular Communication
Living cells rely on the exchange of signals between their components to function effectively. This communication requires energy. A recent study by physicists Samuel Bryant and Benjamin Machta of Yale University delves deep into the minimal energy a cell needs for this internal communication. They considered different signaling methods: electrical current, molecular diffusion, and sound waves. Their findings underscore that the most energy-efficient signaling technique hinges on factors like the distance the signal needs to cover.
Disclaimer: This post was written with ChatGPT.
Source: The Cost of Sending a Bit Across a Living Cell.
Interestingly, while non-living systems such as hurricanes and fires require energy exchanges to exist, living organisms stand apart due to their need to send and receive information to survive. This intertwining of energy and information distinguishes living matter.
There are two main ways scientists study the energy-information connection in biology. The first, based on the laws of thermodynamics, offers general results but can miss the unique challenges cells face, like thermal noise. The second, rooted in empirical models, is more precise since it considers the intricacies of actual biological systems.
In their research, Bryant and Machta employ the latter method, developing three models around the above-mentioned signaling methods. Their formulae for the minimal energy required to send a bit of information reveal optimal signal frequencies and transmission distances for each method. For example, molecular diffusion is best for short distances, while sound waves can be efficient over more extended ranges.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. These theoretical findings still need validation against real-world data. Doing so will determine the accuracy of the predictions and assess if evolution has shaped optimized signaling processes in living organisms. While the study does not encompass all possible signaling methods, it paves the way for more comprehensive research on the efficiency of biological communication, deepening our understanding of the symbiosis between energy and information in life.
