(2019-21)

WEST BENGAL STATE UNIVERSITY

M.Sc. End - Term Examination 2021 Semester IV (2019-21)
MATHEMATICS
COURSE : MTMP DSE 03T MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
Marks :40 Time : 2 hours

All symbols used have their standard meanings.

Answers should be to the point. Examinees are asked to answer in their own words as far as possible .

Answer any five questions from the following :

1 a) Consider the following predator-prey system given in terms of non-dimensional variables :

𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣
= 𝑢(1 − 𝜀𝑢 − 𝑣) , = 𝛼𝑣(𝑢 − 1) , where 𝜀 and 𝛼 are positive parameters .
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

i) Find the steady states of the system and their existence conditions. Determine the nature of
stability of the steady states .

ii) Using a suitable Dulac’s function, show that there does not exist any periodic orbit for the
system in the first quadrant .

b) Show that in the Monod bacterial growth model, the carrying capacity depends only on the
initial conditions . [4+4]

2 a)Determine the type of interaction shown in the model

𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣
𝑑𝑡
= 𝑢 1 − 𝑢 − 𝑢𝑣(1 − 𝑒 −𝛽𝑢 ) , 𝑑𝑡 = −𝛿𝑣 + 𝛼𝑣(1 − 𝑒 −𝛽𝑢 ) , where the variables and
constants are non-dimensional, and, 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛿 are positive. Find the steady states, and parameter
restrictions for the existence of the non-trivial steady state. Discuss linear stability of the
𝛿
equilibria. Briefly describe the bifurcation behavior as 𝛽 increases with 0 < 𝛼 < 1 .

b)Show that the presence of a constant cover for the prey in a Lotka-Volterra prey-predator
model will have a stabilizing effect on the system. [4+4]
 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣
3a) For the competition model = 𝑢(1 − 𝑢 − 𝛼𝑣) , = 𝜌𝑣(1 − 𝑣 − 𝛽𝑢) ,
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

given in terms of non-dimensional variables, where 𝛼 , 𝛽 , 𝜌 are positive constants , find the
steady states and discuss their stability for the case 𝛼 , 𝛽 both > 1. Give mathematical
explanation and biological interpretation.

b) State the ODEs for the ecological model with a single predator, and two preys, where one
prey grows exponentially in absence of predator, the other prey grows logistically in absence of
predator, and there is no competition between the two preys. How many steady states would
this system have? [5+3]

4. From the prey-predator equation with discrete time delays in both prey and predator, find the
non-trivial steady state of the system and the secular equation for it. Show that this equation
cannot have any real roots. Discuss the existence of complex and imaginary root. What would
be the nature of the steady state? [2+2+2+2]

5. Derive the differential-difference equations for a linear birth-death process, and find the mean
of the probability distribution. Find the probability of extinction 𝑝 0, 𝑡 and give a biological
interpretation for the different cases. [4+2+2]

6a) State the equations for the S I S model , and find the threshold ratio for an epidemic.
Discuss the behavior of the system for 𝑅0 >1 , and 𝑅0 < 1 .

b) In the SIR model, obtain a relation between I and S, and interpret the result. [4+4]

7a) For the SIR model with birth and death, where the per-capita birth-rate is equal to the per-
capita death-rate, and there are no disease related deaths, show that , there exists a disease
free steady-state . When is this steady –state stable?

b) In a SIR model, immigration happens with constant rate 𝜇 . Find the stability of the steady
state. [4+4]

8. State the reaction-diffusion equation of Fisher-Kolmogoroff. Discuss travelling wave solutions

of this system .Show that a travelling wave solution can exist for a minimum wave-velocity.
Comment on the existence of a heteroclinic path in the phase plane. [8]