56.

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		2.2.12— Biological Implications of the Phase Space Analysis

		1— Chance or Necessity?

		We are used to thinking that the variability found in biological systems is due to mechanisms based on chance that reflect random processes.

		We now know that simple, deterministic mechanisms can also generate output that is so complex that it mimics the behavior generated by random processes.

		Phase space analysis now makes it possible to determine if the data measured were generated by a mechanism based on a random process or by a mechanism based on a deterministic process.

		When the fractal dimension of the phase space set is very large, then the data were generated by a mechanism based on a random process. When the fractal dimension of the phase space set is small, then the data were generated by a mechanism based on a deterministic process.

		2— Understanding

		If the variability found in biological systems is due to chance, there is little hope of ever fully understanding how these systems work.

		However, if the variability in the data is due to the fact that a system is chaotic and therefore deterministic, then we may be able to fully understand, and even control it.

 

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