INTRA-INDIVIDUAL AND INTERINDIVIDUAL BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY DATA-BANK

Different results are usually observed when a quantity is measured in different specimens from the same individual obtained over a time span . For an individual, this variation is due to the imprecision of the m easurement procedure, that is to say the metrological variability, as well as to the rhythmic and random fluctuations of the quantity value around a virtual homeostatic set point, that is to say the intra-indiv idual biological variability. On the other hand, when studying the int ra-individual biological variation of a quantity a mean value, the vir tual homeostatic set point, is estimated for each individual participa ting in the study. The variation among these mean values is due to the inter-individual biological variability.