Based on a workshop held at the Santa Fe Institute in June, 1990, this book explores structure in organisms-both physical and dynamical-and presents the current status of the search for natural pathways, principles of organization, and the theory of design for organisms. Topics discussed include dynamical systems analysis; the pathways of evolution; development, physiology, and functional morphology; and the principles of dynamical change in connectivity within the networks of processes.

General Introduction -- Physiology -- Introduction -- The Flexible Dynamics of Biological Coordination: Living in the Niche Between Order and Disorder /C. G. DeGuzman and f. A. S. Kelso -- Biological Organization and Adaptation: Fractal Structure and Scaling Similarities /T. 1?. Nelson -- Cornmentary -- Physiology and Development -- Introduction -- Constancy and Variation in Developmental Mechanisms: An Example from Comparative Embryology /J. A. Bolker -- Heterochrony in Hydractiniid Hydroids: A Hypothesis /N. . Blacksione -- Adaptive Mechanisms that Accelerate Embryonic Develop- ment in Drosophila /T. L. Karr and J. E. Mittenilial -- General Principles ot Organization -- Introduction -- The Sciences of Complexity and "On ns of Order" /S. A. Kauffman -- Patterns of Structure and Their Evolution in the Organizae tion of Organisms: Modules, Matching, and Compaction -- J. E. Mittenthal, A. B. Baskin, and K E. Reinke -- Reliability of Networks of Genes /B. Clarke and J. E. Mittenthal -- Exploring the Role of Finiteness in the Emergence of Structure /A. B. Baskin, R. F. Reinke, and J. E. Mittenthal -- Commentary -- General Conclusions Appendix -- Dynamic Pattern Formation: A Primer /J. A. S. Kelso, M. Ding, and G. Schoner -- Index.