networks in biology

In biology, networks refer to interconnected systems of relationships and interactions among various biological elements, such as genes, proteins, cells, or organisms. These networks help illustrate how individual components communicate and work together to perform life-sustaining processes. For example, in a food web, different species are linked through feeding relationships, highlighting the flow of energy and nutrients. Similarly, in cellular signaling networks, proteins transmit messages that regulate cell functions. Understanding these networks offers insights into the complexity of life, disease mechanisms, and ecological balance, emphasizing that biology is a web of interdependent relationships.