Abstract
With reference to several recent papers by the author, it is pointed out that within the principle of biotopological mapping a choice of a primordial graph and of a particular transformation defines a system of abstract biology, similar to systems of abstract geometries. The study of such abstract systems is necessary before one can be found which is isomorphic to the actual biological world. A brief survey of the structure and properties of the system based on the choice of the primordial graph and of the transformationT defined in a previous paper (Bull. Math. Biophysics,16, 317–48, 1954) is made. Two more topological theorems are demonstrated, which, interpreted biologically, lead to the conclusion that the higher an organism, the more adaptable it is. Finally a criticism of that particular system of abstract biology is made, and its inadequacy for the representation of the actual biological phenomena pointed out, and a suggestion is made for a possible point set topological approach to biology.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature
Rashevsky, N. 1954. “Topology and Life: In Search of General Mathematical Principles in Biology and Sociology.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,16, 317–48.
— 1955a. “A Combinatorial Problem in Biological Topology.”Ibid.,17, 45–50.
— 1955b. “Some Theorems in Topology and a Possible Biological Implication.”Ibid.,17, 111–26.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rashevsky, N. Some remarks on topological biology. Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics 17, 207–218 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477858
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477858