Professional Courses
Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.
Categories
Interactive Games
Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.
Typing
Memory
Math
English Adventures
Knowledge
Biology is a vital discipline for engineers, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and engineering applications. The module explores the distinctions between science and engineering, illustrates these differences through case studies like the human eye versus the camera and bird flight versus aircraft, and underscores the significance of biological observations in shaping scientific principles. By leveraging biological insights, engineers are empowered to address global challenges and innovate sustainably.
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Sections
-
1.2.1.1.3
No Simple "formula" For The Eye's Complete Function Exists, But Underlying Principles Involve
This section explores the complexities of the human eye's function compared to engineered systems like cameras, emphasizing the principles that govern biological processes without a singular formula.
-
1.3.4
Efficiency At The Nanoscale
Biological processes achieve remarkable **energy efficiency and precision at the molecular and cellular levels**. They operate at ambient temperatures and pressures, utilizing nanoscale machinery like enzymes to catalyze reactions millions of times faster and with exquisite specificity than inorganic catalysts. This inspires engineers designing new materials, energy systems, and nanoscale devices.
-
1.5
Unveiling Discoveries: Biological Observations Of The 18th Century And Beyond
This section explores how biological observations from the 18th century, specifically by Robert Brown and Julius Mayer, laid foundational principles for modern science, particularly in physics and thermodynamics.
-
1.5.2.3
Conceptual "formula" (First Law Of Thermodynamics Applied To Biology)
The First Law of Thermodynamics, $\\Delta U = Q - W$, applied to biology conceptually states that the change in the body's internal energy ($\\Delta U$) equals the chemical energy intake from food ($Q$, or similar energy input) minus the energy expended as heat and mechanical work ($W$). It highlights that energy is conserved in biological systems, being transformed but not created or destroyed. \-- ## Medium Summary The First Law of Thermodynamics, a fundamental principle of energy conservation, can be conceptually applied to biological systems like the human body. Stated as $\\Delta U = Q - W$, where $\\Delta U$ is the change in internal energy, $Q$ is heat added to the system, and $W$ is work done by the system. In a biological context, this translates to the idea that the chemical energy acquired from food ($Q$) is either used to change the body's internal energy (e.g., stored as fat), or it is dissipated as heat, or converted into mechanical work (e.g., muscle movement). This application underscores that living organisms, despite their complexity, rigorously adhere to universal physical laws governing energy transformations. \-- ## Detailed Summary ### Detailed Summary This section specifically focuses on the **conceptual application of the First Law of Thermodynamics to biological systems**, such as the human body. This application emerged from keen biological observations, as discussed in the context of Julius Mayer's insights, which profoundly contributed to the establishment of this universal physical law. * **The First Law of Thermodynamics:** * Also known as the **Law of Conservation of Energy**, this fundamental principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system; it can only be transformed from one form to another. * Its general mathematical expression is: $\\Delta U = Q - W$ Where: * $\\Delta U$ (delta U): Represents the **change in the internal energy** of the system. Internal energy ($U$) refers to the total energy contained within a system, including kinetic and potential energies of its molecules. For biological systems, this includes the chemical energy stored in molecules like ATP, glycogen, or fat, as well as the kinetic energy of muscle contraction. * $Q$: Represents the **heat added to the system**. If heat leaves the system, $Q$ would be negative. * $W$: Represents the **work done *by* the system**. If work is done *on* the system, $W$ would be negative. * **Conceptual Application to the Human Body (a Biological System):** When applying the First Law to the human body, the terms need to be interpreted within a biological context: * **$\\Delta U$ (Change in Internal Energy of the Body):** * This refers to the net change in the total energy stored within the body. * If a person consumes more chemical energy than they expend, $\\Delta U$ will be positive, indicating energy storage (e.g., gaining weight, storing fat or glycogen). * If a person expends more energy than they consume, $\\Delta U$ will be negative, indicating energy depletion (e.g., losing weight, breaking down fat stores). * **$Q$ (Energy Input from Food / Chemical Energy Intake):** * In the biological context, the primary 'energy added to the system' comes from the **chemical energy contained in the food and beverages consumed**. * This chemical energy is released through metabolic processes (e.g., oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins). * While the literal 'Q' in the physics formula refers to heat, in biology, it's the *equivalent energy content* derived from ingested calories that fuels the body. * **$W$ (Energy Expended as Heat and Mechanical Work by the Body):** * This term represents the various ways the body expends energy. * **Heat Loss:** A significant portion of the energy released from metabolism is dissipated as **heat** to maintain body temperature (thermoregulation) or as a byproduct of inefficient energy transformations. This heat is 'work done' by the body on its surroundings in a thermodynamic sense, or often, just a form of energy rejected by the system. * **Mechanical Work:** This includes all forms of **physical activity and physiological functions** that involve work: * **Muscle Contraction:** Moving limbs, lifting objects, walking, running, etc. * **Pumping Blood:** The heart's work. * **Breathing:** The work of respiratory muscles. * **Digestion:** Muscular contractions in the digestive tract. * **Active Transport:** Moving molecules across cell membranes against gradients. * **Connecting Mayer's Observation to the Law:** * Mayer observed that in hot climates, less heat was being lost by the body to the environment. * According to the First Law, if less energy ($W$ as heat) is being expended to maintain body temperature, and if the internal energy ($\\Delta U$) needs to be kept stable (homeostasis), then less chemical energy ($Q$ from food) needs to be consumed. * This implies that the body's 'burning' of food (metabolism) was reduced to match the reduced heat loss. This observation was a critical step in understanding that energy from food is not solely for heat but can be interconverted into different forms, including mechanical work. * **Significance:** * This conceptual application unequivocally demonstrates that **biological systems are governed by the same universal physical laws as the inanimate world**. There is no 'vital force' creating energy; living organisms are complex, open systems that efficiently transform and utilize energy. * It provides a fundamental framework for understanding **metabolism, bioenergetics, growth, activity, and thermal regulation** in all life forms. * For engineers, understanding this principle in a biological context is crucial for fields like biomedical engineering (e.g., designing prosthetics that optimize energy transfer, understanding heat dissipation in medical devices) and bioengineering (e.g., optimizing bioreactors for energy efficiency). In essence, the First Law of Thermodynamics applied to biology explains the energy balance within living organisms, showing how energy from food intake is distributed among changes in internal energy, heat dissipation, and the performance of mechanical work.
References
Untitled document (9).pdfClass Notes
Memorization
What we have learnt
- Biology and engineering are...
- Observations in biology hav...
- Studying biology is essenti...
Final Test
Revision Tests
What we have learnt
- Biology and engineering are interconnected, providing insights for technological innovation.
- Observations in biology have historically influenced foundational principles in physics and thermodynamics.
- Studying biology is essential for addressing modern challenges and enhancing engineering design.
Key Concepts
-
Term: Biomimetics
Definition: The application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.
-
Term: First Law of Thermodynamics
Definition: A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another, relevant in biological processes.
-
Term: Brownian Motion
Definition: The random motion of particles suspended in a fluid resulting from their collision with fast-moving molecules in the fluid, observed by Robert Brown.
-
Term: Emergent Properties
Definition: Complex behaviors that arise from the interaction of simpler components within a system, an essential concept in both biology and engineering.