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A chemical autonomous agent is defined as a reproducing molecular system that carries out a thermodynamic work cycle, reminiscent of the earliest prebiotic replicators that harnessed free energy. The efficiency with which free energy is utilized to promote replication is a measure of the selective fitness of such a system. Simulations of the operation of a typical autonomous agent over a wide range of possible parameter settings reveals a fitness landscape with a well-defined maximum and a variety of features that are amenable to interpretation in terms of evolutionary concepts.
Published Online: 2009-09-25
Published in Print: 2002-01
