Georgia Institute of Technology College of Sciences

Some properties of biological memory are briefly described. The examples of short term memory and extra long term memory are drawn from psychological literature and from the personal experience. The short term memory is modeled here with the two types of mathematical models, both models being special cases of the Locally Organized Systems (LOS). The first model belongs to Prof. Mikhail Tsetlin of Moscow State University. His original ?pile of books? model was independently rediscovered a new by a number of scientists throughout the World. Tsetlin?s model demonstrates some very important properties of a natural memory organization. However mathematical study of his model turned out to be rather complicated. The second model belongs to the present author and has somewhat similar properties. However, it is organized in a completely different manner. In particular it contains some parameters, which makes the model rather interesting mathematically and pragmatically. The Stefanuk?s model has many interpretations and will be illustrated here with some biologically inspired examples. Both models founded a number of practical applications. These models demonstrate that the short term memory, which is heavily used by humans and by many biological subsystems is arranged reasonably. For humans it helps to keep the knowledge in the way facilitating its fast extraction. For biological systems the models explain the arrangement of storage of various micro organisms in a cell in an optimal manner to provide for the living.