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Elemente einer systemtheoretischen Betrachtung des Stoffwechsels

Elements of a systems-theoretical approach to metabolism

Helgoländer wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen volume 14, pages 4–24 (1966)Cite this article

Abstract

The discussion of general formal properties of metabolizing systems reveals the justification of applying tentatively General Systems Theory as a most general background. Whereas set-theoretical and graph-theoretical considerations, because of their very abstract nature, are obviously not well suited, the application of the theory of compartmented systems, elaborated on the basis of network or linear systems theories, seems to be useful. In metabolic studies physical models in the sense of computers operating as simulators are indispensable tools for research. A comparison between cybernetic and kinetic models demonstrates the many links and similarities rather than contrasts existing between them. Some epistemological problems are also included in the extended discussion of the concepts of information and energy, basical for these models.

Zusammenfassung

  1. 1.

    Bestehende Ansätze zur mathematischen Darstellung der Allgemeinen Systemtheorie auf mengentheoretischer und graph-theoretischer Grundlage werden zur Erörterung abstrakter Systeme genommen; ihre Anwendbarkeit auf Stoffwechselprobleme ist beschränkt.

  2. 2.

    Die mathematisch gut durchgearbeiteten Kompartimentalsysteme eignen sich demgegenüber zur Analyse der Tracer-Kinetik und von zellulären Stoffwechselvorgängen.

  3. 3.

    Die Bedeutung konkreter physikalischer Computer-Modelle zum Studium (der Simulation) von Stoffwechselproblemen wird an einigen Beispielen eingehend besprochen.

  4. 4.

    Stoffwechselmodelle auf kinetischer und kybernetischer Basis werden miteinander verglichen, die Analogie von deterministischen und stochastischen Modellen herausgestellt und metabolisch bedeutsame Systemeigenschaften wie Stabilität, Kontrolle und Oszillationen gesondert beschrieben.

  5. 5.

    In die Diskussion der den Modellvorstellungen inhärenten Begriffe von „Information“, „Energie“ und „Struktur“ werden einige epistemologische Fragen eingeschlossen.

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  1. Österreichische Studiengesellschaft für Atomenergie GmbH, Institut für Strahlenschutz, Reaktorenzentrum Seibersdorf-Wien, Österreich

    Alfred Locker

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Herrn Prof. Dr.L. v. Bertalanffy, meinem hochverehrten Lehrer, zu seinem 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Locker, A. Elemente einer systemtheoretischen Betrachtung des Stoffwechsels. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 14, 4–24 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01611609

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