Nonlinear Behaviour of Vital Physiological Systems

摘要

Nonlinearity is an intrinsic property of biological and physiological systems. Strictly speaking, almost all physiological processes are nonlinear. The linear behaviour seems to be rather an exception which is applicable only for small changes in physiological processes. Vital physiological systems such as heartbeat, respiration, blood circulation, oxygenation, and body temperature exhibit strong nonlinearities in order to fulfil their respective functions in time and space domains, and, on the other hand, to account for limiting environmental conditions. Nonlinearities ensure an effective use of body resources such as limited energy, available biological space for reactions, and finite time to provide a substantive output.