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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*
Affiliation:
University of Chicago, BSCD, 924 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
*
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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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2011

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