Principles Of Organization In Organisms / Edition 1

by Jay E. Mittenthal, Arthur B. Baskin

Overview

Based on a workshop held at the Santa Fe Institute in June, 1990, this book explores structure in organisms—both physical and dynamical—and presents the current status of the search for natural pathways, principles of organization, and the theory of design for organisms. Topics discussed include dynamical systems analysis; the pathways of evolution; development, physiology, and functional morphology; and the principles of dynamical change in connectivity within the networks of processes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780201587890
Publisher:	Westview Press
Publication date:	07/01/1992
Series:	Santa Fe Institute Series , #13
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	472
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Mittenthal is on the faculty of Cell and Structural Biology at the University of Illinois and participates in the Beckman Institute and the College of Medicine there. His previous research in physiology and developmental biology at the University of Illinois and Oxford University has lead to his current interest in the principles of generation and design in organisms. He is now investigating the design of bacteria. Dr. Baskin has been on the faculty of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois for the past fourteen years with joint appointments in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, In his research, he has applied artificial intelligence and networking tools to support collaboration among groups of problem solvers. By studying the organizational principles of groups of humand problem solvers and computer-based networks, he is helping to develop new tools to support working groups.

Table of Contents

General Introduction — Physiology — Introduction — The Flexible Dynamics of Biological Coordination: Living in the Niche Between Order and Disorder /C. G. DeGuzman and f. A. S. Kelso — Biological Organization and Adaptation: Fractal Structure and Scaling Similarities /T. 1?. Nelson — Cornmentary — Physiology and Development — Introduction — Constancy and Variation in Developmental Mechanisms: An Example from Comparative Embryology /J. A. Bolker — Heterochrony in Hydractiniid Hydroids: A Hypothesis /N. . Blacksione — Adaptive Mechanisms that Accelerate Embryonic Develop- ment in Drosophila /T. L. Karr and J. E. Mittenilial — General Principles ot Organization — Introduction — The Sciences of Complexity and “On ns of Order” /S. A. Kauffman — Patterns of Structure and Their Evolution in the Organizae tion of Organisms: Modules, Matching, and Compaction — J. E. Mittenthal, A. B. Baskin, and K E. Reinke — Reliability of Networks of Genes /B. Clarke and J. E. Mittenthal — Exploring the Role of Finiteness in the Emergence of Structure /A. B. Baskin, R. F. Reinke, and J. E. Mittenthal — Commentary — General Conclusions Appendix — Dynamic Pattern Formation: A Primer /J. A. S. Kelso, M. Ding, and G. Schoner — Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reports on attempts to develop a set of principles that would generate the structural patterns--both physical and dynamical-- of plants and animals from the oldest to the living, and from the simplest to the most complex. Such a theory could be used to predict the structure of new organisms. The 18 papers approach the quest from physiology, development, and evolution. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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