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Using normal mode analysis in teaching mathematical modeling to biology students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 October 2011

D. A. Kondrashov
D. A. Kondrashov*
Affiliation:
University of Chicago, BSCD, 924 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
*
1 E-mail: dkon@uchicago.edu
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Abstract

Linear oscillators are used for modeling a diverse array of natural systems, for instance acoustics, materials science, and chemical spectroscopy. In this paper I describe simple models of structural interactions in biological molecules, known as elastic network models, as a useful topic for undergraduate biology instruction in mathematical modeling. These models use coupled linear oscillators to model the fluctuations of molecular structures around the equilibrium state. I present many learning activities associated with building and understanding these models, ranging from analytical to computational. I provide a number of web resources where students can obtain structural data, perform calculations, and suggest research directions for independent projects.

Keywords

mathematical modelingelastic network modelsnormal mode analysiscurriculum development
Type
Research Article
Information
Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena , Volume 6 , Issue 6: Biomathematics Education , 2011 , pp. 278 - 294
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2011

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