Biological System
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A Biological System is a physical system that consists of interconnected components within a living organism, working together to carry out specific functions essential for survival, growth, reproduction, and homeostasis.
- AKA: Living System, Biological Network, Organismal System.
- Context:
- It can typically include organs, tissues, cells, and molecules that interact in a coordinated manner to perform complex biological functions.
- It can typically maintain homeostatic regulation through feedback loops and control mechanisms.
- It can typically process energy flow through metabolic pathways and nutrient utilization.
- It can typically transmit biological information through signaling networks and communication channels.
- It can typically adapt to environmental changes through responsive adjustments and physiological modifications.
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- It can often operate through Hierarchical Organizations such as:
- It can organize Molecular Level through biochemical interactions.
- It can structure Cellular Level through organelle cooperation.
- It can arrange Tissue Level through cellular aggregation.
- It can form Organ Level through tissue integration.
- It can coordinate Organ System Level through functional grouping.
- It can integrate Organismal Level through system cooperation.
- It can interact at Population Level through inter-organism relationships.
- It can function at Ecosystem Level through species interactions.
- ...
- It can operate through System Principles via:
- It can maintain Boundary Definition through selective permeability.
- It can regulate Input-Output Processing through controlled exchange.
- It can establish Feedback Control through regulatory loops.
- It can ensure System Redundancy through backup mechanisms.
- It can demonstrate Emergent Property through component interactions.
- It can optimize Energy Efficiency through resource conservation.
- It can achieve Functional Integration through coordinated activity.
- It can support Information Transfer through signaling pathways.
- It can enable Adaptive Response through sensing mechanisms.
- It can preserve System Resilience through repair processes.
- ...
- It can range from being a Simple Biological System to being a Complex Biological System, depending on its component number and interaction complexity.
- It can range from being a Microscopic Biological System to being a Macroscopic Biological System, depending on its physical scale.
- It can range from being a Specialized Biological System to being a Generalized Biological System, depending on its functional diversity.
- It can range from being a Linear Process Biological System to being a Non-linear Process Biological System, depending on its interaction pattern.
- It can range from being a Deterministic Biological System to being a Stochastic Biological System, depending on its predictability characteristic.
- It can range from being a Closed Biological System to being an Open Biological System, depending on its boundary permeability.
- It can range from being a Steady-State Biological System to being a Dynamic Biological System, depending on its temporal stability.
- It can range from being a Unicellular Biological System to being a Multicellular Biological System, depending on its cellular organization.
- ...
- It can facilitate Evolutionary Adaptation through natural selection and genetic variation.
- It can enable Developmental Progression through growth patterns and differentiation processes.
- It can support Reproductive Capacity through gamete production and embryonic development.
- It can ensure Environmental Response through sensory detection and behavioral adjustment.
- It can manage Resource Utilization through acquisition mechanisms and allocation strategy.
- It can maintain Structural Integrity through repair processes and defense mechanisms.
- It can regulate Temporal Coordination through circadian rhythms and developmental timing.
- It can achieve Spatial Organization through morphogenetic processes and positional information.
- ...
- Examples:
- Fundamental Biological Systems, such as:
- Cellular Biological Systems, such as:
- Cell Membrane Biological System for selective permeability.
- Cytoskeletal Biological System for structural support.
- Mitochondrial Biological System for energy production.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum Biological System for protein processing.
- Golgi Apparatus Biological System for molecular modification.
- Lysosomal Biological System for waste disposal.
- Nuclear Biological System for genetic information storage.
- Molecular Biological Systems, such as:
- DNA Replication Biological System for genetic duplication.
- Transcription Biological System for gene expression.
- Translation Biological System for protein synthesis.
- Metabolic Pathway Biological System for biochemical transformation.
- Signal Transduction Biological System for molecular communication.
- Protein Folding Biological System for molecular conformation.
- Enzyme Reaction Biological System for catalytic activity.
- Cellular Biological Systems, such as:
- Organ System Biological Systems, such as:
- Neural Biological Systems, such as:
- Circulatory Biological Systems, such as:
- Cardiovascular Biological System for blood circulation.
- Lymphatic Biological System for immune cell transport.
- Pulmonary Circulation Biological System for gas exchange support.
- Systemic Circulation Biological System for body-wide perfusion.
- Microcirculation Biological System for tissue-level exchange.
- Immune Biological Systems, such as:
- Endocrine Biological Systems, such as:
- Digestive Biological Systems, such as:
- Respiratory Biological Systems, such as:
- Ventilation Biological System for air movement.
- Gas Exchange Biological System for oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer.
- Pulmonary Circulation Biological System for blood oxygenation.
- Respiratory Control Biological System for breathing regulation.
- Defensive Respiratory Biological System for airway protection.
- Excretory Biological Systems, such as:
- Musculoskeletal Biological Systems, such as:
- Integumentary Biological Systems, such as:
- Reproductive Biological Systems, such as:
- Regulatory Biological Systems, such as:
- Homeostatic Biological Systems, such as:
- Temporal Biological Systems, such as:
- Ecological Biological Systems, such as:
- Multi-organism Biological Systems, such as:
- Ecosystem-level Biological Systems, such as:
- ...
- Fundamental Biological Systems, such as:
- Counter-Examples:
- Mechanical Systems, which are man-made systems of physical components designed to perform tasks, not biological in nature.
- Chemical Systems, which involve interactions of chemical substances but do not comprise living components or biological functions.
- Computational Systems, which process information through algorithms rather than biological processes.
- Physical Systems like planetary systems, which operate through physical laws without biological purpose.
- Quantum Systems, which follow quantum mechanics rather than biological principles.
- Mathematical Systems, which exist as abstract constructs rather than physical realities.
- Artificial Systems, which mimic biological functions but lack true biological components.
- Non-living Natural Systems such as weather systems, which involve complex interactions but not living organization.
- See: Biochemical Network, Biological Complexity, Biological Function, Cellular Organization, Emergent Property, Evolutionary System, [[Feedbac