2024/05/01 by Herbert M. Sauro, Sauro, Herbert M
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Diet and metabolism studies #FOS: Biological sciences #Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction #Molecular Networks (q-bio.MN) #Quantitative Methods (q-bio.QM) #Subcellular Processes (q-bio.SC)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2405.00810
openalex publication_date 2024/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This paper explores some basic concepts of Biochemical Systems Theory (BST) and Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA), two frameworks developed to understand the behavior of biochemical networks. Initially introduced by Savageau, BST focuses on system stability and employs power laws in modeling biochemical systems. On the other hand, MCA, pioneered by authors such as Kacser and Burns and Heinrich and Rapoport, emphasizes linearization of the governing equations and describes relationships (known as theorems) between different measures. Despite apparent differences, both frameworks are shown to be equivalent in many respects. Through a simple example of a linear chain, the paper demonstrates how BST and MCA yield identical results when analyzing steady-state behavior and logarithmic gains within biochemical pathways. This comparative analysis highlights the interchangeability of concepts such as kinetic orders, elasticities and other logarithmic gains.