Enzymes work as 'Maxwell's demon' by using memory stored as motion
Phys.org
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Enzymes, often referred to as life's catalysts, play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular order by accelerating chemical reactions that would otherwise proceed too slowly to sustain life. A recent study highlights an intriguing connection between enzymes and Maxwell's demon—a theoretical concept from physics where something reduces local entropy by making choices. Enzymes achieve this by using their unique structure and motion to store memory, enabling them to select specific molecules for reactions and discard others, thereby creating order in a chaotic environment.
The key lies in how enzymes use their dynamic properties to interact with substrates. By matching molecular motions, enzymes can identify the right molecules for a reaction while rejecting others that don't fit. This process mirrors Maxwell's demon by allowing enzymes to act as selective catalysts, reducing entropy and driving reactions forward. For example, enzymes break down complex molecules into smaller ones or synthesize larger structures needed for cellular functions.
This discovery underscores the importance of understanding enzyme
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/24/2026