Rules or equations that specify how those state variables evolve based on their current values and external "exogenous" variables from the environment. Key Applications and Impact
You cannot truly master dynamic models without core mathematical tools. Look for a that includes:
For two-variable systems (e.g., predator-prey), sketch nullclines. Many PDFs include blank phase planes—fill them in by hand.
Biological systems are noisy. Classical deterministic models (like standard differential equations) predict smooth, predictable curves. But real bacteria grow with random bursts, and animals mate with random encounters.
The "rules" or mathematical formulas (often differential equations) that specify how those state variables will evolve from one second—or year—to the next. Common Types of Dynamic Models