19. 



A A 



CH — CH 



CHp 



CH, 



CH 



CH 



A cluster of thr-ae polypoptide spirals with 

 a coTi]pl-3t3 tripl3 junction at th 3 canter ought to 

 possDss all th 3 fundarn Bntal characteristics of 

 life, provided it is equipped with a stable outer 

 structure. A group of three hexagonal compart- 

 ments as illustrated on tha precedirg page could 

 probably not exist in nature becausD each com- 

 partment would have three exposed corners which 

 would rander it very vulnerable. Regardless of 

 how many additional compartm3nts W3 add to this 

 structure, the m^aximum numb sr of exposed corners 

 can nevsr b ■; less than two. But at th« surface 

 of the organism th3re is really no nscessity for 

 confining ourselves to the use of hexagons. If, 

 for example, we form th 2 surface structura of 

 pentagons instead of hexagons, the number of 

 exposed corners on aach compartmant would be re- 

 duc 3d to one, and our organism v;ou] d appear in 

 cross- section somewhat as follows: 



