Didactic discussion of stochastic resonance effects and weak signals

A simple, paradigmatic, model is used to illustrate some general properties of effects subsumed under the label ''stochastic resonance.'' In particular, analyses of the transparent model show that 1) a small amount of noise added to a much larger signal can greatly increase the response to the signal. but 2) a weak signal added to much larger noise will not generate a substantial added response. The conclusions drawn from the model illustrate the general result that stochastic resonance effects do not provide an avenue for signals that are much smaller than noise to affect biology. A further analysis demonstrates the effects of small signals in the shifting of biologically important chemical equilibria under conditions where stochastic resonance effects are significant. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.