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Regulation in Biological Systems

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Abstract

Any processes which occur in thermodynamically open systems must be automatically regulated if they are to maintain a steady state. Note that there is an important difference between a steady state and a state of equilibrium, since in the latter case no spontaneity is possible. The need to maintain a steady state ensuring homeostasis is an essential concern in nature while negative feedback loop is the fundamental way to ensure that this goal is met. The regulatory system determines the interdependences between individual cells and the organism, subordinating the former to the latter. In trying to maintain homeostasis, the organism may temporarily upset the steady state conditions of its component cells, forcing them to perform work for the benefit of the organism. Adopting a systemic approach to the study of regulatory mechanisms explains the mutual dependencies which, taken together, form the foundation of life.

On a cellular level signals are usually transmitted via changes in concentrations of reaction substrates and products. This simple mechanism is made possible due to limited volume of each cell. Such signaling plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis and ensuring cellular activity. On the level of the organism signal transmission is performed by hormones and the nervous system. This work addresses the problems of regulation on a systemic level.

Maintaining a steady state in thermodynamically open systems requires regulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland

    Leszek Konieczny

  2. Department of Bioinformatics and Telemedicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland

    Irena Roterman-Konieczna & Paweł Spólnik

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  1. Leszek Konieczny
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  2. Irena Roterman-Konieczna
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  3. Paweł Spólnik
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Correspondence to Leszek Konieczny .

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Konieczny, L., Roterman-Konieczna, I., Spólnik, P. (2014). Regulation in Biological Systems. In: Systems Biology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01336-7_4

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