Stochastic resonance in biology. How noise can enhance detection of weak signals and help improve biological information processing
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Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Sealable Femtoliter Chamber Arrays for Cell-free Biology
Published on: March 11, 2015
1Institut für Physik Universität Augsburg Universitätsstrasse 1, 86135 Augsburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Noise is usually thought of as the enemy of order rather than as a constructive influence. In nonlinear systems that possess some sort of threshold, random noise plays a beneficial role in enhancing the detection of weak information-carrying signals. This phenomenon, termed stochastic resonance, does find useful applications in physical, biological, and biomedical contexts. Certain biological systems may even use this effect for optimizing function and behavior.
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