Topic 2 Systems

Figure 2.1: https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/fashion-smart_casual-dress_code-dress_code-protest-fashion_statement-sbln385_low.jpg

• Neuroscience studies the nervous system…
• But what are systems?

Related ideas

• Wikipedia on systems theory

• Wikipedia on systems thinking

• Wikipedia on cybernetics

Science concerned with the study of systems of any nature which are capable of receiving, storing, and processing information so as to use it for control.

Think of a system you know something about. What makes it a system?

Non-biological examples

• Solar system
• Climate system
• Economic system
• Internet

Systems have

• Boundaries
• Components
• Interactions
• Forces/influences
• Inputs, outputs, processes
• “Behave” or change state across time
• May return to starting state
• Appear to be regulated, controlled, influenced by feedback loops

May be thought of as networks

Figure 2.2: (Cole et al. 2013)

Why is studying systems so hard?

• Single parts -> multiple functions
• Single functions -> multiple parts
• Change structure/function over time (learning, development, evolution) == are dynamic
• Naturally occurring systems not “designed” like human-engineered ones
• What is being exchanged/processed?
  • Answer (often): Information
• What is being controlled?

Extra credit assignment

Take your own example system from earlier. What are the components of that system? What are the inputs and outputs? What do the components exchange?

Send a 1 page write-up describing your system and answers to these questions to Megan via Canvas by Friday, January 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM for 2 extra credit points.

References

Cole, Michael W, Jeremy R Reynolds, Jonathan D Power, Grega Repovs, Alan Anticevic, and Todd S Braver. 2013. “Multi-Task Connectivity Reveals Flexible Hubs for Adaptive Task Control.” Nature Neuroscience 16 (9): 1348–55. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3470.