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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2002; 4(3): 281-297
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32339
Review Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Nonlinear Dynamics as a Tool for Modelling in Plant Physiology[1]

M.-Th. Hütt, U. Lüttge
  • Institute of Botany, Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

October 15, 2001

March 18, 2002

Publication Date:
20 June 2002 (online)

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Abstract

We show that recent methods from nonlinear dynamics and complexity theory developed in theoretical physics can and should be applied to the description and analysis of systems in plant physiology, in particular to interpret data series in time and space, i.e., rhythms and pattern formation processes. We start with a brief introduction into the key ideas of nonlinear dynamics, including a short outline of topics which are currently the focus of theoretical interest, in particular the concept, origin and possible function of noise in biological systems. The theoretical concepts are applied to a model system of circadian rhythmicity in plant physiology, crassulacean acid metabolism. With this application, we illustrate the main idea of our article: nonlinear dynamics serves as a remarkable tool for unveiling the internal mechanisms at work in a system's process of self-organization.

Key words

Bifurcation - cellular automata - chaos - crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) - minimal model - noise - stochastic resonance - synchronization

1 Dedicated to Professor Dr. Freder Beck on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

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1 Dedicated to Professor Dr. Freder Beck on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

M.-Th. Hütt

Institute of Botany
Darmstadt University of Technology

Schnittspahnstr. 3 - 5
64287 Darmstadt
Germany

Email: huett@bio.tu-darmstadt.de

Section Editor: H. Rennenberg

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