The ferroin-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction is the prototype excitable chemical reaction system. In oscillatory reagent mixtures with sufficiently high concentrations of proton (H+) and bromate (BrO3-), the unstirred BZ reaction produces spontaneous blue waves of oxidization in a red, reduced medium. At lower initial [H+] and [BrO3-], the reaction only produces these waves in response to stimuli, such as local reductions of [Br-]. The boundary between auto-oscillatory and excitable dynamics (where excitations do or do not occur spontaneously) is usually stated in terms of the product of [H+] and   [BrO3-].  The auto-oscillatory/excitable boundary needs to be reproduced theoretically; boundary cross-overs can be explored theoretically to search for emergent properties such as pulsing (beat patterns) and bursting. The approach employed here explored how non-linear chemistry affected oscillation periods, by sinusoidally oscillating input conditions (specifically pH) to elicit changes in the system. Theoretical data generated using WinPP (an ordinary differential equation solver), were produced using the Oregonator model, with and without modifications. The results of these experiments have the potential to offer further understanding of pattern formation in many biological processes. The patterns that form during the BZ reaction mimic those of many biological processes, including irregular contractions during heart arrhythmia, insulin release, and bacterial cell signaling. Bursting behavior is also seen in biological neurons.

Auto-oscillatory/excitable limit and heterodyning of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

247th National Meeting (2014)

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