Re: NANFA-- Off topic: mathematical theory of biology

Sajjad Lateef (sajjadlateef_at_yahoo.com)
Mon, 16 Dec 2002 10:48:25 -0800 (PST)

I was wondering the same. Biology is a huge field of science.

There are several Mathematical theorems/techniques which are
modeled on biological phenomena.

1. Neural Networks (based on the behavior of neurons)
2. Genetic Algorithms (how traits are passed down through
generations)
3. Evolutionary theorems (I can't recall the details off-hand
but there are some techniques which are modeled on Natural
Selection.)
4. Fuzzy Logic (how humans learn, retain and grow knowledge)

But, the question if there are any mathematical models to represent
biological behavior is vague. Science just does not know enough
about biology to model it to any degree of precision required by
traditional math. Math can only grossly (on a macro level) model life
and just cannot deal with the complexities therein.

Sajjad

--- Irate Mormon <archimed_at_netdoor.com> wrote:
> What does that mean, exactly?
>
> On 15 Dec 2002 at 18:20, Bob Bock wrote:
>
> > My nephew asked me if anyone has put forth a mathematical theory of
> > biology. Can anyone think of anything that even comes close?
>
> Prost,
>
> Martin
> Jackson, MS
> --
> Life's a fish and then you fry.
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=====

-- 
Sajjad Lateef
sajjad_at_acm.org
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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