Measurable notions of complexity and their relationship to biological complexity.
Complexity is often invoked as a motivation for a systems approach to biology. We review three measurable notions of complexity from the areas of computation and data analysis. These measures have each led to mathematical theory and to further insight on the complexity of objects, demonstrating the benefits of having a well-defined measure of complexity. Each measure is applicable in the study of particular biological systems; however, none is satisfactory to serve as a universal measure of biological complexity. The study of biological systems will likely require numerous measures of complexity, each appropriate for analysis in specific settings.
Brooks
J Paul
JP
Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research and Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 843083, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. jpbrooks@vcu.edu
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design