Analysis of different growth mechanisms from phenomenological consideration

Abstract

In this communication, emphasis is given to consider different types of growth from phenomenological point of view in a generalized manner. Truly linear behaviour of the system is examined with the help of phenomenological approach. It is also shown that the parameters of a biological growth following West-type or von Bertalanffy equations are controlled by two phenomenological coefficients, instead of one as found in the literature. They contribute in a different manner in energy intake and metabolic cost. As a result, two different growth mechanisms controlling resultant growth process behave differently in case of energy intake and metabolic cost. It is also established that some phenomenological classes that may indicate a common growth mechanism with different degree of intensity, are following generalized features. As a consequence, they can be grouped with a generalized solution and differential equation. A phenomenological class representing non-linear growth process is also proposed here from theoretical consideration. Some well-known classes are also reexamined with some of their minute properties. Special attention is given to find the role of phenomenological coefficients in determining the growth feature of a phenomenological class and it is found that phenomenological coefficients of a class may lead to a specific type of growth that is generally presented by different phenomenological class.

Keywords:

• Von Bertalanffy growth function
• Phenomenological universalities
• Biological growth equation
• linear growth
• Energy intake
• Metabolic cost