Systems biology is an interdisciplinary scientific approach that seeks to understand complex phenomena through an integrative (holistic) view of biological information. By analyzing data from experimental biology, this approach can generate models and representations of biological phenomena, creating opportunities for simulations and the construction of new knowledge or hypotheses. This approach contributes to predicting activities and phenomena, leading to a better understanding of complex biological mechanisms or processes. Systems biology can aid in the identification and description of biological regulation processes, which generally affect different layers of biological information. In this review, we address the fundamental concepts of systems biology, such as complexity, emergent properties, and the representation of complex systems, with special attention to the application of systems biology in plant nutrition studies, to illustrate the potential of this fascinating scientific approach.