Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
The Lounge
General Discussion
Questions About Systems and Their Components
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="BillTre, post: 6835284, member: 581757"] I have a terminological question: should system parts defined by functional interactions or by being inside (and including) the system’s physical boundary? System components are often defined as part of a system based upon their interactions that lead to the system’s success in achieving its (often human defined) goal(s). This sets-up a situation where functional system parts could be interspersed among non-parts, that are not functionally involved with the system, in the same region. A biological example of this would be the circulatory system which is intimately interspersed among the non-circulatory parts of the tissues it services. Alternatively, [LIST] [*]components of a naturally forming system (like a cell precursor) might be defined as all those chemicals in and contained by the “cell membrane”. When such a natural system is initially set-up, a group of potential components (chemicals) would be collected within the system’s physical boundary (lipid membrane assembled from chemicals produced by some geochemical process). However, this could be just considered the set of chemicals contained by or composing the membrane from which a system and therefore its components might later be derived. [*]Initially, a new potential system would likely include chemical parts that do not contribute to the system’s success (in being autopoietic (able to make its necessary replacement parts)). [*]Possible components could be: [LIST] [*]detrimental to system functioning [*]without meaningful function to system functioning. [*]parasitic to system functioning [*]pathogenic to system functioning [/LIST] [*]These not positively functional parts could alternatively be considered non-parts. That might become functional parts at a later time. [/LIST] Today’s naturally evolved systems (living systems) have had their efficiency honed for about 3.8 billion years, such that they are now highly efficient and could be almost entirely composed of functionally important parts (molecules and chemicals). (One could argue that water molecules and hydrogen ions (protons) are functioning parts of a cellular system in that they are involved in reactions, metabolism, and osmolarity.) [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
The Lounge
General Discussion
Questions About Systems and Their Components
Back
Top