Equifinality

The equifinality refers to a general property of open systems, provided that they approach a steady state. The term goes back to the theoretical biologist Hans Driesch and Ludwig von Bertalanffy.

For a description of equifinality in closed and open systems

While in closed systems in general, a clear dependence between initial conditions and final state consists, for example, the final concentrations clearly depend in a chemical equilibrium of the initial concentrations, in open systems, the same final state from different initial conditions of can be achieved.

This is especially true in animals. A famous example, which at the time was the decisive reason for the emergence of the neo-vitalism of Hans Driesch, is the embryonic regulation:

The same end product, a typical larva - about the sea urchin - can arise from a complete normal embryo ( morula stage ) or from the middle of an experimentally divided germ or two fused nuclei. Here, the mechanism of morphogenesis can vary greatly ( as sequence of processes).

To describe in growth processes

The same applies to growth processes, as for example the same species-specific final size of different initial sizes of individuals in different birth weight of litters with large and small numbers of individuals or after a temporary suppression of the growth is achieved by inadequate nutrition.

Likewise, in continuous culture of microorganisms, independent of the initial concentration of the microorganisms as a function only of nutrients and dilution rate, a density, a specific population.

Since the steady state is not determined by the initial conditions and not by the concentrations and conditions at any other time in which the system tends towards the steady state, but only by the system parameters of the reactions and transport processes, this system can behave generally äquifinal.