Module 1 Introduction to Biomimicry

These flashcards cover the key concepts discussed in the lecture, including the definition of biology, its interdisciplinary nature, practical applications, and importance in various fields. It also covers the concept of biomimicry.

What is Biology?

The study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment

What methods distinguish biology as an independent scientific discipline?

Observation, experimentation, hypothesis testing, and peer review

What are the areas biology tackles complex problems and make significant advances?

Genetics, evolution, ecology, and biotechnology

What are the practical applications of biology in areas of human endeavor?

Medicine, agriculture, conservation, and biotechnology

What does studying biology gives insights on?

Fundamental principles of life, mechanisms that govern living organisms, their growth, development, and interactions with the environment.

How can biology improve our health and well-being?

Insights into how our bodies work, what causes diseases, and how we can prevent and treat them.

What skills biology can foster?

Critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific literacy

What does biology provide for understanding human health?

Insights into the mechanisms of human health and disease.

By studying the behavior and interactions of organisms, what can biologists identify?

Impacts of human activities on the environment and develop strategies for conservation and preservation

Biology provides insights into what of plants and animals, which are essential for agriculture and food production?

Growth, development, and reproduction of plants and animals

Biology contributed to what in biotechnology and industry?

Development of new technologies and products in biotechnology and industry

The development of COVID-19 vaccines were developed using knowledge of what?

Structure and function of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as the immune system's response to viral infections

In the 19th century, what allowed scientists to study the structure and function of cells and other biological molecules in greater detail than ever before?

Advances in microscopy and other technologies

Brownian motion was first observed by who?

Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1827

What causes Brownian motion?

Random collisions of water molecules with the particles

Besides its own sake, what was Brownian motion important for?

Confirm the existence of atoms and molecules

The study of Brownian motion also paved the way for the development of what?

Statistical mechanics

What is the practical application of biology where biological systems are harnessed to develop novel drugs, improve crop yields, and produce biofuels?

Biotechnology

What is biotechnology?

Use of living organisms or their products to improve human health and well-being

Medical biotechnology involves using biotechnology to do what?

Develop new drugs, vaccines, and treatments for diseases

Industrial biotechnology involves the use of biotechnology to do what?

Create new materials and chemicals, or to improve existing ones

Agricultural biotechnology involves using biotechnology to do what?

Improve crop yields, increase resistance to pests and disease, and develop new varieties of crops

What is Golden Rice?

A genetically modified strain of rice that has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A

By adding beta-carotene to rice, scientists hoped to create a new variety of rice that could help to do what?

Prevent vitamin A deficiency and its associated health problems, such as blindness and immune system dysfunction

What utilizes living organisms to clean up pollutants in the environment?

Bioremediation

Bioremediation helps to mitigate oil spill damage by using what?

Bacteria that break down the oil into less harmful compounds

How can plants such as sunflowers be used to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil?

Absorbing and storing them in their tissues

During Deepwater Horizon oil spill, bioremediation involves the use of what?

Naturally occurring bacteria that can break down the oil into less harmful compounds, such as carbon dioxide and water

What is the specialized oil-eating bacteria called that BP and its partners deployed millions of gallons of?

Alcanivorax borkumensis

What does Alcanivorax borkumensis bacteria feeds on, which are the primary components of crude oil?

Hydrocarbons

The effectiveness of bioremediation depends on what?

Type of oil, the temperature and salinity of the water, and the availability of nutrients for the bacteria

What is a field that combines biology and computer science, enables the analysis and interpretation of biological data on a large scale?

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics plays a critical role in what?

Genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery

Bioinformatics facilitates breakthroughs in what?

Personalized medicine and disease treatment

By analyzing what, researchers can gain a better understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of diseases?

Large-scale biological data

Analyzing large-scale biological data helps researchers to do what?

Identify biomarkers for early disease detection, and develop more targeted and effective therapies

By using bioinformatics tools and techniques, you can analyze large-scale genomic data to do what?

Identify genetic variations associated with the disease

Once you have identified potential genetic variations associated with the disease, you can use bioinformatics to do what?

Study their effects on gene expression and protein function

In structural engineering, the study of natural materials and their properties informs the development of what?

Lightweight and durable materials, such as bio-inspired composites

In the field of robotics, researchers draw inspiration from animal locomotion to create what?

Agile and efficient robotic systems

Nature has long been an inspiration for human innovation, which is also known as biomimicry, harnesses nature's designs, processes, and ecosystems to solve engineering challenges.

Biologically inspired engineering

Sustainable engineering, a key aspect of biomimicry, aims to do what?

Mimic nature's strategies for resource efficiency, waste reduction, and adaptation to environmental conditions

What type of biomimicry involves imitating the form and structure of natural designs?

Biomimicry of Designs

What is a classic example of biomimicry of designs?

Velcro

What did the burrs had that caught on the loops of his dog's fur that inspired the invention of velcro?

Hooks

What type of biomimicry involves imitating natural processes and systems, such as photosynthesis or the water cycle?

Biomimicry of Processes

The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, is a building that uses biomimicry of processes to do what?

Regulate its temperature

The Eastgate Centre was designed to mimic the ventilation system of what?

Termite mounds

What type of biomimicry involves imitating the way natural ecosystem’s function?

Biomimicry of Ecosystems

The city of Portland, Oregon, is working to develop a stormwater management system that mimics what?

Forest ecosystem function

One of the most interesting examples of biomimicry in the transportation industry is the design of high-speed bullet trains that take inspiration from what?

Kingfisher's beak

What was one of the main issues that the biomimicry design elements of the Shinkansen Series 500 train aimed to address?

Sonic boom that was created when high-speed trains exited tunnels

The kingfisher is a bird that is known for its ability to dive into the water at high speeds to catch fish, and its beak has evolved to do what?

Reduce drag and minimize the impact of the water on its body

Who was the Japanese engineer that designed the train's nose that was first developed inspired by the kingfisher's beak?

Eiji Nakatsu

The train's nose is shaped like a kingfisher's beak, with a long and narrow profile that does what?

Reduces drag and minimizes noise

The beak-like design also creates what, reducing the impact of air resistance and allowing the train to travel at high speeds?

Pocket of low-pressure air in front of the train

Besides the kingfisher, the biomimicry design elements of what animals were also incorporated into the Shinkansen Series 500 train?

Owl, and penguin

The curved shape of owl wings was found to be particularly effective at doing what?

Reduce noise and vibration

The train's wheels are arranged in what shape, similar to the arrangement of penguin's feet?

"Diamond" shape

What is one of the benefits of incorporating biomimicry into the design of the Shinkansen Series 500 train.?

Increased Speed

What is one of the benefits of incorporating biomimicry into the design of the Shinkansen Series 500 train.?

Reduced Noise

What is one of the benefits of incorporating biomimicry into the design of the Shinkansen Series 500 train.?

Improved Energy Efficiency

What is one of the benefits of incorporating biomimicry into the design of the Shinkansen Series 500 train.?

Increased Durability

By applying this concept, engineers designed the front shape of high-speed bullet trains to mimic the streamlined beak of the kingfisher which does what?

Reduces air resistance and noise

Q1. What are some what in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and conservation?

Practical applications of biology

Q2. How can studying biology what, such as climate change and emerging infectious diseases?

Improve our understanding of important issues facing our planet

Q3. What are the what and how can it contribute to sustainable food production?

Potential benefits of using biotechnology in agriculture

Q4. How can bioremediation be used to what caused by industrial activities such as oil spills, and what are its limitations?

Mitigate the environmental damage

Q5. What are some of the what in genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery, and how do they contribute to the development of personalized medicine?

Key applications of bioinformatics

Q6. How can the study of biological systems and materials what, such as lightweight and durable materials and agile robotic systems?

Inform the development of new technologies and products in engineering

Q7. How can biomimicry of designs what, and what are some examples of products that have been developed through this approach?

Benefit sustainable engineering

Q8. What is the role of biomimicry in sustainable engineering, and how can imitating natural processes and ecosystems what?

Lead to more environmentally friendly and resilient solutions

Q9. How did the biomimicry design elements of the Shinkansen Series 500 train, inspired by the kingfisher's beak, what compared to traditional trains?

Improve its speed, energy efficiency, and durability

Q10. How can biomimicry what, and what are some potential limitations or challenges associated with this approach?

Help solve engineering challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future