| | | | | | 2.2.12— Biological Implications of the Phase Space Analysis | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | |