The concept of a system and its structure
From a methodological standpoint, any complex biological phenomenon cannot be described by a single factor alone—all natural phenomena are determined by a multitude of components. To understand how living matter works, science uses the concept of a system.
A system is a set of objects or elements interconnected through regular forms of interaction.
It is important to distinguish between two types of properties that can be observed when elements are combined:
- Aggregate properties represent the trivial sum of the properties of all parts. In this case, the elements are simply located next to each other without altering one another.
- Systemic properties are the key feature of any true system. As a result of close interactions, new holistic characteristics emerge that radically differ from the original properties of the constituent components.
The totality of all connections and interactions of elements within a system is conventionally called its structure.
Methodology of the systems approach
The systems approach serves as the methodological foundation of biology. It is a special research tactic that allows complexly organized objects to be disassembled and analyzed without losing their holistic meaning.
The methodology for studying systems of absolutely any kind is based on a strict algorithm:
- Definition of elements. At the first stage, it is necessary to identify all constituent parts forming the studied system.
- Establishment of structure. It is determined how exactly the elements interact with each other, and the nature and strength of the bonds between them are defined.
- Assessment of the external environment. External environmental factors that contact the system are identified, and the nature and strength of these external influences are measured.
History and development of the theory
The historical formation of the systems approach took place on the basis of natural sciences, moving from physics to chemistry, and then to biology. The development of this field is associated with the works of several outstanding scientists.
Justus von Liebig (1803–1873) became the founder of factorial ecology. As early as the mid-19th century, he formulated ideas that were as close as possible to the modern understanding of the systems approach. He insisted on the necessity of recognizing the parts of a complex phenomenon, studying their nature, properties, and, most importantly, the relationships between them.
An enormous contribution was made by Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky. He applied this approach at the highest level of scientific abstraction, resulting in the creation in 1926 of the doctrine of the biosphere — the global ecosystem of our planet.
The Austrian researcher Ludwig von Bertalanffy finalized these ideas in 1969 by creating General System Theory. This approach acquired the official status of an independent science slightly earlier, in the 1960s. This was facilitated by technical progress, primarily the rapid development of computers, which made it possible to calculate complex connections.
Tasks of systems theory
Modern theory sets itself ambitious goals that go beyond the simple description of biological objects. The main tasks include:
- Formulating general universal principles for the structure of living and non-living systems.
- Discovering the fundamental laws of their functioning.
- Developing an accurate mathematical apparatus that will allow describing and predicting the behavior of systems of various types under changes in internal connections or environmental influences.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What types of systems are distinguished in biology by the nature of matter and energy exchange?
In the cited sources, the open type is explicitly confirmed for living systems.
- Living organisms are open biological systems characterized by a continuous exchange of matter and energy with the environment.
- The human organism is an open thermodynamic system characterized by the presence of metabolism and energy exchange.
- Eukaryotic cell is an open biological system.
Flows of matter and energy pass through living organisms: the absorption of necessary elements from the environment and the release of metabolic waste products. The exchange of matter and energy is the fundamental property of living things; existence is possible only under conditions of exchange with the environment, and the cessation of exchange leads to the cessation of life.
What fundamental properties are characteristic of all living biosystems?
Living systems differ qualitatively from non-living ones by having a number of common properties:
- Metabolism and energy exchange — flows of matter and energy pass through living organisms: the absorption of necessary elements from the environment and the release of metabolic waste products; exchange ensures the constancy of the chemical composition and structure of the parts of the organism.
- Self-reproduction — the continuity of life is ensured by reproduction; new molecules and structures are formed based on genetic information embedded in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.
- Heredity — the property of organisms to transmit their traits and developmental features across generations; the basis is the stability and constancy of the structure of DNA molecules.
- Variability — the property of acquiring new traits in the process of individual development depending on environmental conditions.
- Growth and development — based on the genetic program of DNA; individual development is ontogeny, historical development is phylogeny.
- Irritability — one of the properties of living systems.
- Structuredness — necessary for ordered metabolism; life resists entropy growth due to a constant influx of energy.
- Use of biological information — storage in DNA, transfer via RNA to enzyme proteins.
- Discreteness — existence in the form of individual organisms.
To remember the algorithm of the systems approach, use the acronym ESS: Elements (find the parts), Structure (determine connections), Setting/Environment (assess external influence).
Class and exam questions
How do systemic properties differ from aggregate properties?
Aggregate properties are the usual sum of characteristics of isolated elements. Systemic properties, however, are fundamentally new qualities that appear in an object only due to the regular interaction of its parts.
Who created the General System Theory?
The founder of General System Theory is the Austrian scientist Ludwig von Bertalanffy, who presented it in 1969.
What role did Justus von Liebig play in biology?
He became the founder of factorial ecology and already in the 19th century pointed out the necessity of studying not only the parts of a complex phenomenon themselves, but also the relationships between them.
When did the systems approach become an independent science?
It gained the status of a separate scientific discipline in the 1960s. The main impetus for this was the development of computers necessary for processing complex arrays of data on connections.
What else to study on this topic
- Mathematical apparatus for describing the behavior of biological systems
- Laws of functioning of complex systems in nature
- Factorial ecology of Justus von Liebig: basic concepts
- Biosphere as a global system in the works of V. I. Vernadsky
- The influence of environmental factors on biological objects
Master the entire topic in the "Biology" course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on the topic "Systems approach in biology" and 3,793 more pages of the subject
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 129 video lessons on the subject
Other topics in «Biology as a Science, Introduction to Biology»
Free video lessons: BiologyShort lessons with study notes — no registration required.
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.