Illustration from Scientific Research

Within a stable holistic cell state, the values of observables may fluctuate, represented by changes in the positions of each of the four vertices that are represented by blurred images. The springs can be considered stiff or soft and are associated with vertex fluctuations of smaller or greater magnitude, respectively. However, in both cases, the fluctuating tetrahedron represents a stable holistic cell state. This is analogous to an attractor state within dynamical systems, as diagrammed on the right. The potential well for the stiffly connected tetrahedron is narrower than for the softly connected tetrahedron.

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