Equifinality
The equifinality called a general property of open systems, provided that a steady aspire. The term goes back to the theoretical biologists Hans Driesch and Ludwig von Bertalanffy .
To describe equifinality in closed and open systems
While in closed systems there is generally a clear relationship between the initial conditions and the final state, e.g. For example, in a chemical equilibrium, the final concentrations clearly depend on the initial concentrations, the same final state can be achieved in open systems from different initial conditions.
This is especially true for living things. A famous example that was the decisive reason for the development of neovitalism by Hans Driesch at the time is embryonic regulation:
- The same end product a typical larva - for example the sea urchin - can arise from a complete normal germ (morula stage) or from half of an experimentally divided germ or from two fused germs. The mechanism of shape formation (such as the sequence of processes) can vary greatly.
For the description of growth processes
The same applies to growth processes, since z. B. the same species-specific final size from different initial sizes from individuals of different birth weights from litters with large and small numbers of individuals or after temporary suppression of growth due to inadequate nutrition.
Likewise, in the continuous culture of microorganisms, regardless of the initial concentration of the microorganisms, a certain population density is only established as a function of the nutrient supply and dilution rate .
Since the steady state is not determined by the initial conditions and not by the concentrations and the conditions at any other point in time at which the system strives towards steady state, but only by the system parameters of the reactions and transport processes, such systems generally behave equifinally.