Why are so many biological systems periodic?

Abstract

The ubiquity of oscillations in biological systems is well established. Oscillations are observed in all types of organisms from the simplest to the most complex. Periods can range from fractions of a second to months or years. From time to time, it has been suggested that many biological oscillations are the result of the breakdown of effective self-regulation. The opposite view is defended here. It is argued that most periodic behavior is not pathological but rather constitutes the normal operation for these systems. They are present because they confer positive functional advantages for the organism. The advantages fall into five general categories: temporal organization, spatial organization, prediction of repetitive events, efficiency and precision of control.