title: Dynamical aspects of P systems.
abstract: A dynamical analysis of P systems is given that is focused on basic phenomena of biological relevance. After a short presentation of a new kind of P systems (PB systems), membrane systems with environment, called PBE systems, are introduced that are more suitable for modeling complex membrane interactions. Some types of periodicity and non-periodicity are considered for PBE systems by showing some "minimal" examples of systems that exhibit these properties. In particular, a discrete formulation of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction is given in terms of PBE systems. Some questions and open problems for future research are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Informatica, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy. bernardf@inwind.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Manca
mesh_terms: D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D039301:Computers, Molecular; D004777:Environment; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010507:Periodicity; D009626:Terminology as Topic