LEADER 04452nam 2200721 a 450 001 9910457787303321 005 20200520144314.0 010 $a1-283-30336-1 010 $a9786613303363 010 $a1-4008-4140-2 024 7 $a10.1515/9781400841400 035 $a(CKB)2550000000056643 035 $a(EBL)787352 035 $a(OCoLC)758334106 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000633179 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)11372382 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000633179 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10616462 035 $a(PQKB)11259837 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC787352 035 $a(OCoLC)769188188 035 $a(MdBmJHUP)muse37049 035 $a(DE-B1597)447725 035 $a(OCoLC)1054873598 035 $a(OCoLC)979755090 035 $a(DE-B1597)9781400841400 035 $a(PPN)176626905 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL787352 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebr10504758 035 $a(CaONFJC)MIL330336 035 $a(EXLCZ)992550000000056643 100 $a20000322d2000 uy 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aur|n|---||||| 181 $ctxt 182 $cc 183 $acr 200 10$aChance in biology$b[electronic resource] $eusing probability to explore nature /$fMark Denny and Steven Gaines 205 $aCourse Book 210 $aPrinceton $cPrinceton University Press$dc2000 215 $a1 online resource (306 p.) 300 $aDescription based upon print version of record. 311 $a0-691-00521-4 311 $a0-691-09494-2 320 $aIncludes bibliographical references and indexes. 327 $t Frontmatter -- $tContents -- $tPreface -- $t1. The Nature of Chance -- $t2. Rules of Disorder -- $t3. Discrete Patterns of Disorder -- $t4. Continuous Patterns of Disorder -- $t5. Random Walks -- $t6. More Random Walks -- $t7. The Statistics of Extremes -- $t8. Noise and Perception -- $t9. The Answers -- $tSymbol Index -- $tAuthor Index -- $tSubject Index 330 $aLife is a chancy proposition: from the movement of molecules to the age at which we die, chance plays a key role in the natural world. Traditionally, biologists have viewed the inevitable "noise" of life as an unfortunate complication. The authors of this book, however, treat random processes as a benefit. In this introduction to chance in biology, Mark Denny and Steven Gaines help readers to apply the probability theory needed to make sense of chance events--using examples from ocean waves to spiderwebs, in fields ranging from molecular mechanics to evolution. Through the application of probability theory, Denny and Gaines make predictions about how plants and animals work in a stochastic universe. Is it possible to pack a variety of ion channels into a cell membrane and have each operate at near-peak flow? Why are our arteries rubbery? The concept of a random walk provides the necessary insight. Is there an absolute upper limit to human life span? Could the sound of a cocktail party burst your eardrums? The statistics of extremes allows us to make the appropriate calculations. How long must you wait to see the detail in a moonlit landscape? Can you hear the noise of individual molecules? The authors provide answers to these and many other questions. After an introduction to the basic statistical methods to be used in this book, the authors emphasize the application of probability theory to biology rather than the details of the theory itself. Readers with an introductory background in calculus will be able to follow the reasoning, and sets of problems, together with their solutions, are offered to reinforce concepts. The use of real-world examples, numerous illustrations, and chapter summaries--all presented with clarity and wit--make for a highly accessible text. By relating the theory of probability to the understanding of form and function in living things, the authors seek to pique the reader's curiosity about statistics and provide a new perspective on the role of chance in biology. 606 $aBiomathematics 606 $aProbabilities 608 $aElectronic books. 615 0$aBiomathematics. 615 0$aProbabilities. 676 $a570/.1/5192 686 $aWC 7000$2rvk 700 $aDenny$b Mark W.$f1951-$0786816 701 $aGaines$b Steven$f1951-$01056230 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910457787303321 996 $aChance in biology$92490422 997 $aUNINA