A simplified kinetic model for an autopoietic synthesis of micelles

Recently, some chemical systems have been implemented which have an autopoietic behaviour according to Varela and Maturana's definition. They consist of micelles or reversed micelles which are able to produce their building material inside themselves, and, in such a way reproduce themselves. For one of these systems we have elaborated a kinetic model to rationalize the long lag phase and the abrupt rate increase displayed during the autopietic process of micellar self-replication. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental observations available to date.