Question

In general, mathematical models used to simulate biological problems:

• A. Are useless as they do not provide new real information
• B. Are neither true nor false
• C. Are too complicated for a standard biomedical student
• D. Require knowledge of calculus as a minimum

Answer 1

The correct option is B Are neither true nor false

Mathematical models can be simple or complex ones. Petri nets and networks are simple enough and do not require calculus or high-level mathematics.

A standard biomedical student is familiar with biochemistry in which the Michaelis-Menten equation is introduced to analyze enzyme kinetics.

Mathematical models are used to both, improve understanding of biological problems as well as to make predictions like the ones used in epidemics or ecology, for example.

As a model, a mathematical model is neither true nor false. It is only either useful or not for explaining experimental data.