Chapter
1 Introduction to Biology
1.1 Science & Engineering
Science is the knowing the fact with practical knowledge, understanding and execution of
phenomena occurring in the cosmos related to human beings. It is cultured through experiments
and observations in the specific stream of study like physics, chemistry, mathematics and
biology or any other stream of the basic or natural or physical science. It is the foundation
and basic of the engineering. Engineering is the doing the fact with the application of science.
Engineering implies scientific knowledge to design instruments, processes and structures.
Generally. Science is largely divided into four main branches which are physics, chemistry,
mathematics and biology. These are again subdivided into different branches. Scientists observe
the world and engineers focus on the creation. Scientist can be an engineer or an engineer can
be a scientist by their contributions. Both fields involve observation and analysis. They are
complementary toeach other. Science begins with physical system and seeks to develop a
descriptive model. Engineering begins with descriptive model and seeks tódevelop physical
system, Scientists and engineers both have the contribution to the world of human knowledge,
but ways are different. Scientists use the method to sort proper clarifications and extrapolations
about the world. Engineers use the engineering structure method to solve the problems.
Engineering
Biology
System Theory
Engineering Physical
Sciences
Science
Figure 1.1 : Relationship between science, Figure 1.2 : Relationship between science
biology and engineering and engineering
1
2 Biology for Engineers
1.2 Biology
Biology isthe study of living organisms including their beaviour. metabolisn.
structural and functional part and their
different
mechanism of function. Biology hasthe
branches of biology like botany, zoology,
reproducie on,
separat
cntity
in the scicnce. There are
microbiology, etc. The term 'biology' was derived Irom tlhe Greek
word bios means lif
physiology.
the suffix -logia, neans study of. This biology tern1 was lirst uscd by Swedish scientist and
Car
|736.
Linnacus in his book Bibliotheca Botumica in
Concept of modern biology stands on the concept of ccll
biology, evolution,
biology. genctics ctc. Research of the biology is going on structural,
pysiological, molecular
ccological and cnvironmental. Still biology has some unresolved problems. cvolutionary.
Table 1.1:Some of the Sub disciplines of biology :
Someof the Sub disciplines of Biology
It is the study of animals that includes branches such as etholopv
Zoology or animal biology (animal behavior), herpetology (reptiles), ichthyology (fish).
mammalogy (mamnals), ornithology (birds) and entomology
(insects)
Botany or plant biology Botany is the studies of plants.
It is the study of the mechanical., physical, and biochemical
Physiology processes of living organisms function as a whole.
It is the study of microscopic organisms that includes branches
Microbiology such as phycology (algae), Mycology (fungus), virology (virus).
Genetics IL is the study of genetic material such as DNA and chromosomes
Biochemistry It is the study of biology that focuses on the chemical reactions
that make life possible
Ecology It is study of the interaction between the environment and the
organisms (living things) that live amongst it
It is a broad discipline in which bìological processes, organisms,
Biotechnology cells or cellular components are exploited to develop new
technologies.
Genetic engineering/ It is the direct manipulation of genes of an
organism
Genetic modification/ using biotechnology. It is a set of technologies used to change the
genetic manipulation genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within
and across species boundaries to produce improved or
novel organisms.
Introduction to Biology | 3
1.3 Biology and engineering
Duntal tendency of science is to procecd from the aggregated system to disaggregated
system. Preliminary objectiveeof biology has changed from multicellular organisms to molecular
boncmena. Pivotal tendency of cngineering is to proceed from disaggregated system to
aggregated system and to develop instruments for secing the molecular phenomena of biology.
Biolooy draws the idea and engincering apply the ideas with evaluative effect of human
benefit to solve the problems, (Figure I.3).
Biology Engineering
(Aggregation to disaggregation) (Disaggregation to aggregation)
Application for human benefit
Figure 1.3 : Relationship between Biology and engineering
1.4 Application of Biology
of the biology
In every moment we use biology in our daily life. There are different aspects
in different fields like in agriculture, food and beverages, clothing and textiles, beauty products
health etc.
and personal care, transportation, medicine,
Education
History
Biology is the crucial unit of the
modern life and correlated with Health
Industry the inter-c1sciplinary operation
Forensic Agriculture
medicine
Medical Environment
Food
Industry
Fig. 1.4 Schematic representation: Application of Biology
4 Biology for Engineers
Table 1.2 : Some breakthrough inventions and Discoveries of the
Terms Inventors Terms
biology
Inventors
Vitamins |Hopkins Vaccination Edward Jenner
Landsteiner Polio Drop Albert Sabin
Anigen
DNA Watson & Crick Gene of Cancer Robert Weinberg
Rh factor, blood
Homeopahy Samuel Hahnemann Charles Landsteiner
replacement
Insulin Bating & West Sex Hormones Eugen Stainak
Polio Vaccine J.E. Salk |Sperm Humm &Leeuwenhoek
Robert Koch Spleen-Functions Barcroft
TB Bacteria
BCG Vaccine Calmette and Guerin Streptomycin - antibioticSelman Waksman
Bacteria Leeuwenhoek Sulpha drugs Domagk G.
Thyroxin Edward Calvin
Streptomycin Waksman
Penicillin A. Fleming Cancer Robert Wellberg
Genetic Code Har Gobind Khorana Antibody against Rabies Louis Pasteur
First Test tube Edwards &Steptoe Antitoxin against Won Berring
baby |Diphtheria
Blood
William Harvey Artificial Heart Michael Dibake
Circulation
Bacteria of
Henson |Aspirin Dresser
Leprosy
Cholera Wald
Robert Koch Biochemical Evolution
Bacteria
Colour
Blindness Hornerd BloodGroup (AB) De Castello and Sturli
(Daltonism)
Compound Zacharias Janssen Blood Group (0) De Castello and Sturli
Microscope
Blood Gropus Carl Land
Contraceptive Pincus
Pills (A, B and O) Steiner
Amici GB. Cell Robert Hooke
Cyclosis
Introduction to Biology 5
Inventors Terms Inventors
Terms
Knoll M. and Ruska
Elecron
E
CellTheory Schlciden and Schwann
Microscopc
Porter K.R, Claude
Endoplas1mic
Reticulum
and Fullnnan Chemotherapy Paul Erlich
1.5 Engineering design inspired by examples in biology/Bio
mimicry
Annlication of the nature existing biological design in the engineering field called as bio
mimicry. There are different examples of bio mimicry. To describe the relationship between
hiology and engineering we can discuss the wo prominent examples in details.
15.1Human eye inspired camera : Camera has invented by following the structural part
af the eye and their functional role of each part which plays same function. There are the
cimilarities between the structural part and their function of the camera and eye. Eyes belong
tothe biological part and camera is the invention by engineering (Fig 1.5).
film retina
diaphragm: iris
aperture pupil
lens -lens
black paint choroid
Figure 1.5: Relationship between camera and human eye
Structural and functional similarities between different parts of Camera and eye :
Aperture of camera or Pupil of eye: Light penetrates the eye through the aperture of
camera or through pupil of eye
Diaphragm of camera or Iris of eye: Both part control the intensity of light that penetrates
the eye or camera
Artificial Lens of camera or natural lens of eye: Artificial lens focus an object on the
film of camera and natural lens of the eye focus an object on the retina
Film of camera or retina of eye: Images are formed in both cases.
" Black paint of camera or choroid of eye: Black paint of camera and melanin pigment
of choroid absorbs light and restricts reflection within eye to protect the eye of the vision
degradation.
6 Biology for Engineers
able to fly
Birds and aero planes are and
1.5.2 Bird inspired Aircraft :
same but mechanism
is [Link] and scientific
aero planes both
behindthis ability is According tothis principle,
Bermoullis principle of flying pressure (Figure 1.6).
fast moving air has
\ower incija
and slow moving air has
higher
is rounded and bottom part is straight.
preSs
where top part
Plane has (wo parts
rushing over the top of
compared to the bottom.
the
Air on
wing
the
has
top
to
of
travel greater distance to the back of
the wing has to travel faster to keep
creates a low pressure region
on the top of the wings and
Thupereiowiherel,hwinheg
air underneath. This
differcnce on the region of the Wings creates i high
on the
the bottom.
upward This air pressure
force that keeps birds as well as plane in the air, (Figure I.7 & 1.8).
their
pr
wheics
hNei
There are the similarities
between the structural part and function of the
aircraft. Birds belong to the living
organism and aircraft is the invention by bird and
engine ring.
Fig 1.6 Structural relationship between Fig 1.7 Functional relationship between
Bird and aircraft Bird and aircraft
Lift
Thrust
Drag
Weight
Fig. 1.8 Different parts of aircraft for four forces of flying
Introduction to Biology 7
Pnotional similarities between different parts of birds and aircraft
Propellers of aeroplane or muscles of the bird: Both parts arc responsible for lifting
(Figure l.8).
Streamlined shape of aeroplane or streamll1ed shape and kiglht weight of skeleton:
Both parts are responsible for dragging
Movement of aeroplanes and wings by engine of aeroplane or Flapping of wings of
bird: Both functions arc responsiblc for thrusting
Wines of aeroplane or Tails and wings of bird: Both parts control the speed
Deoine of acroplane and muscles of birds: Both part hclps in thc propulsion
Anart from these two explanations of the bio mimicry, there are several examples such as
Kingfisher-Inspired Bullet Train: Where the application of the acrodynamics feature of
the kingfishers beak used for the invention of the world fastest bullet train (speed of
2000miles per hour).
Geckoinspired Climbing Feet: Where the application of the biomechanics feature of
gecko feet for the humans to climb up.
Baobab Tree Inspired Treehouses: Where the application of the massive, swollen-looking
trunk of Baobab tree helped to invent tree house.
Armadillo inspired Backpack:Where the application of the flexibility. protective nature
of armadillo helped to initiate the concept of backpack
Tentacle-Inspired Prosthetic Arm: Where the application of the flexible and adjustable
feature of tentacles in a simple curling motion helped to invent flexible and adjustable
prosthetic arm to accommodate a variety of different grips.
Apart from these there are various examples like Survivor-LOcating Spider, Inch worm
inspired tree-Climbing Robot Mimics, Bird Skull inspired Shoe etc.
EXERCISE
Short answer type Questions
1. What is engineering?
2. What is biology?
3. What do you mean by biomimicry?
4. Write the name of the similar partS of the camera and eye.
5. Write the principle of flying.
6. Write the role biology in our daily life.
Long answer type questions
1. Write the importance of the study of biology.
2. Describe the relationship between science and engineering.
3. Illustrate the role of engineering in the field of biology.
4. Describe about three engineering designs inspired from examples in biology.
5. Write the difference between bird and aircraft.