Principles of the thermodynamics of biological systems

A detailed substantiation is given of the thermodynamic theory of biological evolution which was formulated previously ( Gladyshev, 1977, Gladyshev, 1978 b). The thermodynamic approach to biological phenomena and the relationships between the thermodynamic method and kinetic, cybernetic and other methods are examined. Various components of the general evolution of biosphere (molecular, supramolecular, organelle, cellular, etc.) are discussed in detail. The prognostic possibilities of the thermodynamic method in relation to organisms, biological populations and to the biosphere as a whole are considered.