Biology is the science studying the structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy of life and living organisms, from atoms to cells, from genes to proteins, and from populations to ecosystems. Considering the wide range of subjects and concepts related to it, there are many branches of biology, including the subject of this book, Mathematical Biology (or Biomathematics). In brief, it is the mathematical modeling and quantitative study of biological processes. Depending on what is aimed at and what is modeled, the techniques and methods used come from calculus, differential equations, probability theory, linear algebra, and graph theory. Moreover, some modern tools from dynamical systems, control theory, and neural networks have also been deployed in recent studies.
As its title indicates, the book under review is an introduction to some of the applications of some mathematical ideas to biology. It consists of five chapters. Each chapter ends with a number of serious exercises and problems, some of which explain a biological phenomenon; complete solutions of all exercises are included at the end of book. The first three chapters, entitled “Cell Growth,” “Enzyme Kinetics,” and “Tracers in Physiological Systems” discuss biological subjects. The final two chapters, entitled “Biological Fluid Dynamics” and “Diffusion in Biology,” deal with biophysical topics.
Although it is designed as a textbook for graduate students, biologists will also find the mathematics in this book useful in their work. Despite being an older book, it is still relevant enough to be recommended as a textbook for students, instructors and university libraries.
Soheila Emamyari received her Ph.D. in Soft Condensed Matter fromthe Institute for Advanced Study in Basic Sciences in Iran. Her research interests include Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics. She is now an instructor at the University of Zanjan, Iran, where she teaches fundamental physics.