A simple computational model of digestion in the marine mussel

A simplified model of a marine mussel is proposed. We model the digestive system as a cellular analogue, physically partitioned into a lysosome and endosome, with the flow of particulate carbon to represent energy. The parameters in the rate equations that govern the interactions between compartments are assumed to be a simple linear form but are consistent with experiment and observation. The model is tested first by using continuous feeding and then by using a periodic feeding representative of tidal input. The responses in both cases produce interesting results compatible with observations of the biology of the animal. We define a “health function” which indicates whether or not the animal survives. It is found that survival is critically dependent on lysosomal efficiency.