Biological Illustrations of Stochastic Resonance

Final Paper for Bioengineering Graduate Course
2011, University of Colorado Boulder, Electrical Engineering Department

Abstract: Stochastic resonance is a phenomenon which allows for signals to be amplified with the aid of background noise, and is a very recent discovery which has many biological manifestation. This paper will identify the theoretical concept of stochastic resonance, involving aspects of noise sources and information theory. Various mechanisms that have been discovered within biological systems will then be identified and discussed with comparisons to the theoretical models. Furthermore new concepts and theories will be addressed which may merit further investigation or suggest methods of manipulating SR phenomenon for application and improvement purposes.