Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 4.4
Neuron structure.
To develop anABMof this (or any) specific system, the researcher must understand
the system as a whole, break the system down into its salient features, and then
develop an ABMwhich describes the whole system as the combination of its features.
Therefore, one needs to understand the biological domain (axon biology), break the
problem down, make assumptions, and then develop and implement a model within
an ABM framework.
4.2.2
Understanding the Domain: Axon Biology
Neurons are found in the peripheral and central nervous system and are responsible
for a functioning body and mind. They control everything, from the beating of the
heart, to pain sensation, to the ability to communicate. The structure of a neuron is
shown in Figure
4.4
; following is a brief description of the axon components. The
trillions of neurons communicate with one another via axons (long nerve fibers) that
extend from the cell body to other parts of the brain [
32
]. The dendrites, finger-
like protrusions around the cell body, receive signals from the local environment
and pass that information to the cell body, and to other cells via the axon. Axons
transmit signals via synapses protruding off the growth cone. The growth cone is
a specialized structure that contains receptors enabling neurons to recognize and
respond to environmental chemical cues. It continually monitors the environment via
filopodia and this information causes it to grow in a particular direction [
33
].
Exercise 4.24.
Open the NetLogo model
Diffusion1.nlogo
. Answer the following
questions (these are also listed in the Information tab for the model):
a.
What are the agents in this model? What characteristic(s) does each agent have?
What are the rule(s) governing the system?
b.
How is diffusion being modeled?
c.
What happens to the particles when they get to the edge of the environment?
Search WWH ::
Custom Search