AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 235, Issue 5 205-R209, Copyright © 1978 by American Physiological Society
Some control conditions for self-organization--what the control theorist can learn from biology
R. Tomovic
The general control task, as expressed formally in engineering science or
mathematical systems theory, is presented briefly. Characteristics of
technological control systems are then contrasted with the control
processes revealed by molecular biology. It is emphasized that the control
processes of living systems have certain features not represented in formal
control theory. One of these features is the use of positive feedback in a
novel way to achieve a "positive control potential." The environmental
conditions necessary for positive control potential to arise are
considered. It is concluded that achievements in life sciences offer a
challenge to extend formal control theory into new domains, but at the same
time, existing control theory helps to highlight what it is that living
systems uniquely do, even though it cannot explain how they do it.
