These delicate flows of energy maintained the complex inner structures of cells just as fusion maintains the structures of stars. Like fusion, they allowed the first living cells to pay the complexity taxes demanded by entropy, because in cells, as in stars, a lot of energy goes into keeping complex structures functioning. But also as in stars, a lot of energy is wasted because no reactions are 100 percent efficient, and of course, entropy loves wasted energy. In both cells and stars, concentrated flows of energy are needed to pay entropy’s taxes and overcome the universal tendency of all
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