In the history of civilization it is practically impossible to find such a moment when we can say that it was at that moment that the idea of the unity of the world appeared. Even then, a person was faced with a unique harmony between the whole and the individual parts. This problem is relevant not only in biology, but also in physics, economics, mathematics and other sciences. The systematic approach, which translates into a theoretical interpretation, is called the "General theory of functional systems." It was formed as a result of a reaction to the rapid development of analytical concepts in science, which remove the creative idea from what has long been called the problem of the whole organism. What are functional systems in the understanding of various sciences? Let's get it right.
Concept in anatomy and physiology
The human body is a collection of different functional systems. At the moment, there is only one of all systems that dominates. The purpose of her activity is to return to a norm of a certain value. It is formed temporarily and is aimed at achieving a result. The functional system (FS) is a complex of tissues and organs that belong to different anatomical structures, but are combined in order to achieve a useful result.
There are two types of FS. The first option provides self-regulation of the body due to its internal resources, without violating its borders. An example of this is maintaining constant blood pressure, body temperature, and more. This system automatically compensates for shifts in the internal environment of the body.
The second type of FS provides self-regulation by changing behavioral acts, interacting with the external environment. This type of functional systems is the basis for the formation of different types of behavior.
Structure
The structure of a functional system is quite simple. Each of these FSs consists of:
- the central part, characterized by the complexity of the nerve centers that regulate a specific function;
- the executive part, due to the totality of organs and tissues whose activity is aimed at achieving a result (behavioral reactions are also included here);
- feedback, which is characterized by the appearance after the activity of the second part of the system of a secondary stream of pulses in the central nervous system (it gives information about the change in magnitude);
- useful result.
The properties
Each functional system of the body has some properties:
- Dynamism. Each FS is temporary. Different human organs can be included in the complex of one FS, while the same organs can be in different systems.
- Self-regulation. Each FS contributes to maintaining a constant level of values without external interference.
All systems work as follows: when the magnitude changes, the pulses enter their central part and form a sample of the future result. Further, the second part is included in the activity. When the result obtained coincides with the sample, the functional system breaks up.
Theory of Anokhin P.K.
Anokhin P.K. The theory of functional systems was put forward, which describes a model of behavior. According to it, all the individual mechanisms of the body are combined into a single system of adaptive act of behavior. The act of behavior, however complex it may be, begins with afferent synthesis. The excitation, which was caused by an external stimulus, comes into contact with other excitations, which are different in function. The brain synthesizes these signals, which enter it through sensory channels. As a result of this synthesis, it creates the conditions for the implementation of purposeful behavior. Synthesis includes factors such as motivation, afferentation launcher, situational, as well as memory.
Further, the functional nervous system goes into the decision-making phase, on which the type of behavior depends. This stage is possible in the presence of a formed apparatus of an acceptor of action results, which lays down the results of events that will happen in the future. Then comes the implementation of the program of action, where excitations are integrated into a single act of behavior. Thus, the action is formed, but not implemented. Next is the stage of the implementation of the behavioral program, then the results are evaluated. Based on this assessment, the behavior is corrected or the action ceases. At the last stage, functional systems cease their activity, and satisfaction of needs is accomplished.
Management
The constant development of market relations and competition suggest that the latest functional management system should be used. This will increase the effectiveness of the enterprise. FS should be flexible, have the ability to improve themselves, conduct highly effective forms of organizing activities, and also create conditions for new scientific and technical discoveries. The main task is the organization of the company’s work on the market in the present and future, assessing the capabilities of the company, as well as finding the right opportunities in a competitive environment.
Provisions
Functional management information system has several provisions:
- In order to achieve the goal, it is necessary to analyze the funds, select and apply the company's employees in accordance with their qualifications, and provide them with the necessary resources.
- It is necessary to analyze the external environment, to study its changes, as well as the management of the company depending on these changes.
A well-built FS management provides for monitoring the development of personnel, skillful use of their resources. Therefore, it is recommended to involve skilled talented people, to keep them, motivating their activities. The functionality of the management system is aimed at selecting employees and their development. This is the priority task in the development of FS management. Close attention is also paid to management strategies when company management thinks out a model of a firm’s functioning for a long period of time. This is done to ensure the competitiveness of the company. The model is thought out taking into account the potential of the company, where the main thing is to improve the life of staff.
Maths
Mathematical functional systems are closely related to biological systems. Some authors consider the systematic approach as the application of mathematical FS to study phenomena in biology, their scientific explanation. After building the FS (mathematical model) and defining the task, the properties of this system are studied by mathematical methods: deduction and machine modeling.
Stages of a systematic approach
In biology, a systematic approach consists of several stages:
- abstraction, that is, building a system and defining a task for it;
- deduction, that is, consideration of the properties of the system using the methods of deduction;
- interpretation, that is, consideration of the meaning of the properties that were found by deductive methods in a biological phenomenon.
In the same way, mathematical functional systems are used to study phenomena in production. First, a mathematical FS is theoretically formulated, after which its tasks are applied to the explanation of phenomena, both in biology and in management. In practice, systemic patterns can be developed on the basis of specific biological material, which should be the basis of formalization. With the help of a quick mathematical understanding of the laws, the perspective of the development of knowledge in biology and physiology becomes real. But the mathematical theory of biological systems must be built with the involvement of purposeful behavior.
The specificity of the biological system lies in the fact that the need for the result and the way to obtain it mature within the system, in its metabolic and hormonal processes, after which the demand is realized through the nerve chains in behavioral acts that allow mathematical formalization. Thus, the question of the use of mathematical FS in various branches should be well studied.
findings
At the heart of each FS is a need. It is the need and its satisfaction that act as the main positions in the formation and organization of the work of various functional systems. Since needs are variable, all FSs are closely related to each other in time. A useful result is achieved through a certain activity that proceeds at various levels: biochemical, psychological, social. It is activity that seems to be a hierarchy of biochemical, individual psychological, and psychological-social physiological systems. Thus, each FS is represented in the form of a cyclic closed organization, which is constantly self-regulating and self-improving.
The main criterion for FS is a positive result. Any deviations from the level, which helps to ensure the normal functioning of the body, are perceived by receptors. With the help of nervous and humoral afferentation, they include certain nerve formations in the work. Further through behavior, hormonal and autonomic reactions return the result to the level that is necessary for normal metabolism. All processes occur continuously according to the principle of self-regulation.
In the end
Thus, the study of functional systems is necessary not only in biology, physiology, but also in other sciences. All of them have one task - to obtain the necessary positive result. Knowledge about the FS can be successfully used to build a management model in the enterprise, motivating employees to a positive result. Also, mathematical skills are used to study biological systems.