Environmental Studies and Life Sciences Lecture Notes

Flashcards about Biomimetics, Bioinspired ANN, Biosensors, 3D Bioprinting, Bioentrepreneurship, Bio-sustainability, Smart Farming, Types of Infectious diseases, Disease Management, Artificial intelligence and Telemedicine

What is Biomimetics?

The application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.

What are some Biomimetic Applications?

Termite Den leading to Self Cooling Office Building, Whale Edged Fins leading to Energy Efficient Turbine Blades, Shark Skin Structure leading to Anti-bacterial Surface, Burrs of Burdock leading to Velcro, Kingfisher beak leading to Low resistance/noise Train Design, Lotus Leaves leading to Hydrophobic Paints/Surfaces.

What are the three main components of a biological neuron?

A biological neuron has three types of main components: dendrites, soma (or cell body) and axon.

What is an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)?

An information processing system that has certain performance characteristics in common with biological nets.

What is a Biosensor?

Analytical devices which include a combination of biological detecting elements like sensor system and a transducer.

What are the components of a biosensor?

Analyte, Bioreceptor, Transducer, Electronics, Display.

What are some application areas of Biosensors?

Soil Quality Monitoring, Environmental Monitoring, Disease Detection, Water Monitoring, Food Quality Monitoring, Pathogen Discovery, Toxin Detection, Drug Discovery.

What are different classifications of Biosensors, based on bioreceptors?

Enzyme-based, Antibody-based, Aptamer-based, Whole Cells Biosensors.

What are different classifications of Biosensors, based on transducers?

Electrochemical biosensors, Electronic biosensors, Gravimetric biosensors, Nano biosensors, Optical biosensors, Electrical biosensors.

What are few attributes that every biosensor possesses?

Selectivity, Reproducibility, Stability, Sensitivity, Linearity.

What is 3D Bioprinting?

Technique of creating 3D functional living tissues using biocompatible materials, cells and supporting components.

What are Bioprinting Systems?

Inkjet, Microextrusion, Laser-Assisted, Stereolithography.

Name a few bioprinted tissues.

Skin, Cartilage, Trachea, Heart Valve, Vasculature, Kidney.

What is an entrepreneur?

A person who starts an enterprise by perceiving opportunity, organizing resources needed for exploiting that opportunity and then exploits it.

What is Bioentrepreneurship?

creation of wealth derived from the application of the biosciences to the business context.

What are the competencies of an Entrepreneur?

Initiative, Creativity and Innovation, Risk Taking and Risk Management, Problem Solving, Leadership, Persistence, Quality Performance, Information Seeking, Systematic Planning, Persuasion and Influencing Others, Enterprise Launching Competencies Enterprise Management Competencies.

What are the entrepreneurial responsibilities?

Perception of market opportunities, Gaining command over scarce resources, Purchasing inputs, Marketing the products, Dealing with bureaucrats, Managing human relations within the firm, Managing customer and supplier relations, Managing finance, Managing production, Acquiring and overseeing assembly of the factory, Industrial engineering Upgrading process and product, Introducing new production techniques and products.

What is Sustainability?

A social goal about the ability of people to co-exist on Earth over a long time. Fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.

What is Bio-sustainability?

The quality of being bio-sustainable; the production, use and conservation of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology, and innovation to provide information, products, processes and services to all economic sectors with the aim of moving towards a sustainable economy.

What is Organic Farming?

A method of crop and livestock production that involves choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.

What are the advantages of Organic Farming?

Protect Biodiversity, Farmers can reduce their cost of production as they do not need to buy expensive chemicals and fertilizers, Energy Conservation, Protect water, soil.

What is Vermicomposting?

Type of composting in which earthworms are used to enhance the process of organic waste conversion and produce a better end-product.

What are the benefits of Vermicomposting?

It improves soil aeration, it enriches soil, improves water holding capacity, its a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner in a form that is relatively easy for plants to absorb.

What is Smart Farming with IoT?

Techniques using sensors that measure environmental impact and also to revive nature but smart farming is designed to bring more benefits also like higher profit, efficient planting process, premium harvest and others.

What are some Smart Farming Techniques?

Field mapping or data collection, predictive analytics, data saving, tracking and monitoring, labour work, warehousing, saving energy.

What is hydroponics?

Method of soil less gardening or hydroponics is around for thousands of years.

What is Rainwater Harvesting?

Collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run off.

What are Biofuels?

Biofuels are a renewable energy source, made from organic matter or wastes, that can play a valuable role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

What are types of biofuels?

Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Biogas, Syngas, Green diesel, Bio-ethers.

What are the generations of Biofuels?

First-generation (sugar-based crops) Second-generation biofuels (lignocellulosic crops) Third generation biofuels (algae) Fourth-generation biofuels (genomically prepared microorganisms).

What is the role of Internet of Things (IOT) in Bio-sustainability?

Apps with advanced computing ability, mobile phones along with various devices & sensors are commonly used to achieve productivity , climate control, molecular diagnosis, education, and data management into a portable, simple-to-use application.

What is Bioremediation?

Biological organisms are used to remove or neutralize an environmental pollutant by metabolic process.

What are types of Bioremediation Techniques?

Bioaugmentation, Biostimulation, Bioreactors, Bioventing, Composting, Land farming

What is Phytoremediation?

The process that uses various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy contaminants in the soil and groundwater.

What are few types of Infectious diseases?

Bloodborne diseases, Bacterial, Parasitic, Viral and Fungi.

What is a Disease?

A pathological condition of body parts or tissues characterized by an identifiable group of signs and symptoms.

What are classifications of disease, based on duration?

Acute, Chronic, Latent.

What are prevention strategies of Diseases?

Strategies include maintain personal and public hygiene, vaccinations and immunisation.

What is Disease Management?

system of coordinated heath care interventions and communications for defined patient populations with conditions where self-care efforts can be implemented.

What are techniques to improve Health?

Getting appropriate medicines, sleep, exercise, food & diet and stress management.

What is Telemedicine?

The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies.

What is Telehealth?

The delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, and self-care via telecommunications and digital communication technologies.

What are the Tools for Telemedicine?

Telephone, video, devices connected over LAN, WAN, Internet, mobile or landline phones; Chat Platforms or Mobile App or internet based digital platforms for telemedicine.

What are the applications, advantages and future aspects of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical sciences?

Improving clinical outcomes, tracking data over time, reduces human errors and has numerous opportunities.

What does Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mean?

Wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.

What are the benefits of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Industry?

Alleviate diagnostic and screening burden on the healthcare system, improve psychology and psychiatric procedures, optimize functions, enhance productivity, automate financial accounting, billing and claims.

What is Intellectual Property Right (IPR)?

Such rights recognized by law which result from Intellectual creativity or Intellectual activity in the fields of literature, art, science and industry.

What role do WIPO play?

WIPO promote the protection of IP throughout the world.

What are IPRs used for?

Can be sold, can be bought, can be leased, can pass under a will and can be assigned.

What are the types of IPRs?

Patent, Trademarks, Copy rights and related rights etc.

What protection does patent offer?

Exclusive right granted for an invention. The protection is granted for a limited period, i.e., 20 years.

What is a Trademark?

Distinctive sign that identifies certain goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. The initial term of registration is for 10 years; thereafter it may be renewed from time to time.

What are Copy Rights and related rights?

Rights given to creators for their literary and artistic works. The kinds of works covered include: literary works, databases; films, musical compositions and choreography; artistic works such as paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture; architecture; and advertisements, maps and technical drawings.

What are Geographical Indications (GI)?

Signs used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that place of origin.

What do Industrial Designs refer to?

Refer to creative activity, which result in the ornamental or formal appearance of a product, and design right refers to a novel or original design that is accorded to the proprietor of a validly registered design.

What are Trade Secrets?

It may be confidential business information that provides an enterprise a competitive edge may be considered a trade secret (manufacturing or industrial secrets and commercial secrets).