The Inductive Effect and the Control of Physiological Activities

Abstract

Thus far in this book the picture of the living cell has been a static one. The key characteristic described has been that of association among the three major components of the resting cell: water, protein, and ions. I now examine the second major principle of the association—induction (AI) hypothesis: induction. The inductive effect underlies the individuality of living cells and provides the mechanisms that they use for the coordinated, reversible changes which set the living apart from the nonliving.