Thermodynamic principles of the behavior of biological systems

A theory of the behavior of biological systems is proposed which is an extension of the conception of biological evolution ( Gladyshev, 1977, 1978) based on classical (equilibrium) thermodynamics. A thermodynamic theory of homeostasis is presented, in accordance with which homeostatic mechanisms of regulation are connected with a compensative shift of a fundamental quasi-equilibrium. The principle of least compulsion is formulated on the basis of thermodynamic laws and describes behavior of biological systems. A fundamental thermodynamic equation of behavioral processes is introduced. The Weber-Fechner law is shown to be a corollary of the fundamental thermodynamic equation.