A Primer on Mathematical Modeling in the Study of Organisms and Their Parts
Systems Biology
How do mathematical models convey meaning? What is required to build a model? An introduction for biologists and philosophers.
Abstract
Mathematical modeling is a very powerful tool for understanding natural phenomena. Such a tool carries its own assumptions and should always be used critically. In this chapter, we highlight the key ingredients and steps of modeling and focus on their biological interpretation. In particular, we discuss the role of theoretical principles in writing models. We also highlight the meaning and interpretation of equations. The main aim of this chapter is to facilitate the interaction between biologists and mathematical modelers. We focus on the case of cell proliferation and motility in the context of multicellular organisms.
Keywords: Equations, Mathematical modeling, Parameters, Proliferation, Theory