A Hypercycle in a Bioreactor and in a Compartment: A Self‐Maintaining System

We present computer calculations of a simple hypercycle (n = 2) in a bioreactor (CSTR). Strong coupling between the two subcycles leads to a coexistence of all species, whereas weak coupling produces a selection of the faster growing subcycle in analogy to Eigen and Schuster's work at constant organisation. ‐ We simulate a self‐maintaining system by placing the hypercycle into a compartment (biological cell) which is characterized by self‐instructed opening and closing. The assumption is made that one of the two encoded proteins may also act as a membrane protein which regulates the flow of monomers through the membrane. “Ageing” of the system is simulated by an exponential decline of the coupling constant which, at the same time, will trigger a transition from a stable hypercycle (n = 2) (strong coupling) to a stable subcycle (n = 1) (result of weak coupling) with an accompanying process of closure of the compartment. The final state is an equilibrium state of the selected subcycle.