We propose a simple mechanism for the self-replication of protocells. Our main hypothesis is that the amphiphilic molecules composing the membrane bilayer are synthesized inside the protocell through exothermic chemical reactions. The slow increase of the inner temperature forces the hottest molecules to move from the inner leaflet to the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Because of this outward translocation flow, the outer leaflet grows faster than the inner leaflet. This differential growth increases the mean curvature and amplifies any local shrinking of the protocell until it splits in two. The proposed model, based on mere laws of physics, is a step in the study of the origin of life, as well as a clue for a better understanding of cell proliferation in cancer.

我们提出了一种简单的原始细胞自我复制机制。我们的主要假设是组成膜双层的两亲分子是通过放热化学反应在原始细胞内合成的。内部温度的缓慢升高迫使最热的分子从双层的内小叶移动到外小叶。由于这种向外易位的流动，外叶比内叶生长得更快。这种不同的生长增加了平均曲率并放大了原细胞的任何局部收缩，直到它一分为二。所提出的模型仅基于物理定律，是研究生命起源的一步，也是更好地了解癌症细胞增殖的线索。