Systems Theory and Biology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. Systems Theory and Biology—View of a Biologist

   • Talbot H. Waterman

   Pages 1-37

3. Multilevel Systems and Biology—View of a Submolecular Biologist

   • D. F. Bradley

   Pages 38-58

4. Systems Theory and Biology—View of a Theoretician

   • Mihajlo D. Mesarović

   Pages 59-87

5. Biochemical Regulations

   • Benno Hess

   Pages 88-114

6. Differentiation in the Cellular Slime Mold

   • Barbara E. Wright

   Pages 115-129

7. Transformations, Semigroups, and Metabolism

   • Kenneth Krohn, Rudolph Langer, John Rhodes

   Pages 130-140

8. A Continuous System Model of Adrenocortical Function

   • F. E. Yates, R. D. Brennan, J. Urquhart, M. F. Dallman, C. C. Li, W. Halpern

   Pages 141-184

9. A Finite State Model for the Control of Adrenal Cortical Steroid Secretion

   • Donald S. Gann, Lee E. Ostrander, James D. Schoeffler

   Pages 185-200

10. Identification of Boolean Mathematical Models

    • James D. Schoeffler, Lee E. Ostrander, Donald S. Gann

    Pages 201-221

11. New Developments in Systems Theory Relevant to Biology

    • R. E. Kalman

    Pages 222-232

12. Some Quantitative Aspects Concerning the Trophic Role of the Nerve Cell

    • Marcus Singer

    Pages 233-245

13. Functional Components of Systems Controlling Behavior in Some Primitive Animals

    • Robert K. Josephson

    Pages 246-260

14. The Brain Stem Reticular Core—An Integrative Matrix

    • M. E. Scheibel, A. B. Scheibel

    Pages 261-285

15. Some Mechanisms for a Theory of the Reticular Formation

    • W. L. Kilmer, W. S. McCulloch, J. Blum

    Pages 286-375

16. The Functional System as a Unit of Organism Integrative Activity

    • P. K. Anokhin

    Pages 376-403

By J OHN A. HRONES Provost, Case Institute 0/ Technology SYSTEMS have been the subject of man's study for many hundreds of years. Thus, the solar system has been the concern of the astronomer. The study of the allocation of material and human resources within the boundaries of an industrial firm or a government has been the concern of the economist. The subject of such studies have been widely known as economic systems. Medieal men have worked with the human body. Thus, man has attempted to deal with a complicated array of interconnected elements since the very earliest of recorded time. In his attcmpt to improve his understanding of physieal systems the need to concentrate on a specific kind of system, e.g., the solar system. the human body, became more imperative. However in recent years there has begun to grow and develop an increasing number of people who are working on thc development of general systems theory and analysis. Such a development is based upon the belief that certain view points, certain kinds of mathematics and technologieal procedures can be applied to a wide variety of important systems with considerable profit. The pres­ sures for the development of such a body of knowledge grew with the de­ velopment of a technologieal socicty.

• Kybernetik
• Systems
• biology
• system
• systems theory
• Systems Biology

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