In a short overview the following text presents a discussion of the meaning of time and of system-time in biology and medicine and points out certain time-dependent functions and additional conditions or items, all of which can be summarised under the title chronobiology and play an important role in physiology and pathology. There is an intrinsic similarity between the systemic functions of a body and its subsystems, and the structure and function of music. Titles of publications like “Symphonie des Lebendigen” [1] and “symphony of life” [2] underline this metaphoric relation. The essential components of a living system as well as of music are: time, certain structures or instruments which generate oscillations. These oscillations can be described by their frequencies, by the number of simultaneously generated frequencies, which may or may not be in harmonic relation to each other. The structure of music is supported by adjustment of the key, resonance and harmony, and by the larger time structures: rhythm and synchronisation, and oscillations and variability. These oscillations are subdivided by the given notation and by the defined tact, by prescribed tempo and by the interaction of different voices in terms of harmony, counterpoint, and rhythm. Periods and repeats characterise larger units, phrases, movements, pieces with different names and intention, or symphonies. Including the expressions which were already mentioned, the following terms can be found applicable both in biological systems and in music: Time Cycles, Oscillations and Variability Synchronisation Evolution and Aging Optimisation Similarity and Scaling

Institut für Physiologie der Medizinischen Universität Graz Austria

Lit.: 15