DEBKANTA MAITY MAKAUT CSE/IT/ECE

8372021415
BIOLOGY
[ Makaut community ]

UNIT - 1

To convey that Biology is as important a scienti c discipline as Mathematics,

Physics and Chemistry Bring out the fundamental di erences between
science and engineering by drawing a comparison between eye and camera,
Bird ying and aircraft. Mention the most exciting aspect of biology as an
independent scienti c discipline. Why we need to study biology? Discuss how
biological observations of 18th Century that lead to major discoveries.
Examples from Brownian motion and the origin of thermodynamics by
referring to the original observation of Robert Brown and Julius Mayor. These
examples will highlight the fundamental importance of observations in any
scienti c inquiry.
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 To convey that Biology is as important a scienti c discipline as Mathematics, Physics and
Chemistry Bring out the fundamental differences between science and engineering by drawing a
comparison between eye and camera , Bird ying and aircraft .

De ne biology.
Biology is the scienti c study of life and living organisms. It covers a wide range of topics,
including the structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and classi cation of living
things. Biology is divided into many branches, such as:
• Botany – the study of plants
• Zoology – the study of animals
• Microbiology – the study of microscopic organisms
• Genetics – the study of heredity and DNA
• Ecology – the study of how organisms interact with their environment
It helps us understand how life works at every level, from molecules to ecosystems.
How will you convey that Biology is as important a scienti c discipline as mathematics ,
physics & chemistry ?
1. Foundation of Life Sciences and Medicine
• Biology directly underpins medicine, pharmacology, genetics, and public health.
• Without biology, understanding diseases, developing vaccines, or performing organ
transplants would be impossible.
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Example: The COVID-19 vaccine was developed through biological research, especially in
molecular biology and immunology.
2. Solving Global Challenges
• Biology addresses major issues like climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss.
• Biologists study ecosystems to protect the environment and ensure sustainable agriculture.
Example: Genetic engineering in crops increases yield and resistance to pests, helping to
combat world hunger.
3. Integration with Other Sciences
• Biology uses chemistry to understand biochemical processes, physics for biomechanics
and imaging (e.g., MRI), and mathematics in modeling ecosystems and gene frequencies.
Example: Bioinformatics (biology + computer science + math) is essential for analyzing
DNA sequences.
4. Innovation and Technology
• Fields like biotechnology, neuroscience, and synthetic biology are biology-driven and
are transforming industries from healthcare to energy.
Example: CRISPR gene editing is revolutionizing genetic engineering and personalized
medicine.
Di erence between science and engineering .
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Comparison between Eye and Camera .
 Similarities between human eye & camera .

1. Lens – Both use a lens to focus light and form a clear image.
2. Light Control – The iris in the eye and aperture in a camera control how much light
enters.
3. Image Formation – Both form inverted images on a surface (retina in the eye, sensor/
lm in a camera).
4. Focusing – The eye changes lens shape; a camera adjusts the lens position to focus on
objects at different distances.
5. Image Detection – The retina detects light like a camera sensor or lm.
6. Protective Covering – Eyelids protect the eye, similar to a lens cover or shutter in
cameras.
7. Field of View – Both have a limited angle of view, depending on lens/eye design.
8. Color Detection – Both detect color through light-sensitive cells or pixels (cones in
the eye, RGB pixels in cameras).
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Di erence between Bird ying and aircraft.
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Di erence between bioengineering and biological engineering.
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 Mention the most exciting aspect of biology as an independent scienti c discipline.

Why It’s So Exciting:

• It's the foundation of modern medicine, including gene therapy, cancer
treatment, and vaccine development.
• It offers the possibility of curing genetic diseases, understanding aging, and even
extending human lifespan.
• It connects all living things at the molecular level — proving we share DNA with
everything from bananas to whales.
Most Exciting Aspect of Biology: Understanding the Blueprint of Life — DNA &
Genetics
One of the most exciting aspects of biology as an independent scienti c discipline is
its ability to decode, manipulate, and understand the genetic blueprint of life —
DNA. This area, known as genetics and molecular biology, has transformed our
understanding of life and opened up revolutionary possibilities in medicine, agriculture,
and evolution.

1. DNA: The Universal Code

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that stores genetic information in all
living organisms.
• It determines everything from eye color to susceptibility to diseases.
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• The discovery of the double helix structure by Watson and Crick in 1953 revolutionized
biology by explaining how traits are inherited.
2. Gene Expression and Regulation
• Genes are segments of DNA that code for proteins, which carry out most life functions.
• Biology has revealed how genes are turned on or off at speci c times, enabling
complex processes like development, healing, and adaptation.
• Understanding this regulation helps in treating diseases like cancer, where gene control
goes wrong.
3. Genetic Engineering & CRISPR
• Technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 allow scientists to edit genes precisely.
• This can correct genetic disorders, develop disease-resistant crops, or even prevent
inherited diseases before birth.
• Biology is the core science that made gene editing possible, offering real-world, life-
changing applications.

4. Human Genome Project

• Completed in 2003, it mapped all the genes in the human body.
• This has accelerated research in personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to
individual genetic pro les.
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Why we need to study biology?
1.Understand Life – It helps us learn how living organisms function, grow, and evolve.
2.Improve Health – Provides knowledge to ght diseases, develop vaccines, and
improve medicine.
3.Protect the Environment – Helps us conserve biodiversity and understand ecosystems.
4.Support Agriculture – Aids in improving crops, pest control, and sustainable farming.
5.Advance Biotechnology – Enables innovations like genetic engineering and biofuels.
6.Solve Global Issues – Addresses problems like climate change, food shortages, and
pandemics.
7.Make Informed Decisions – Empowers individuals to make choices about health,
nutrition, and environment.
8.Explore Ethical Questions – Informs debates on cloning, gene editing, and
conservation.
9.Understand Evolution and Origin of Life – Explains how life began and diversi ed
over time.
10.Career Opportunities – Opens doors to professions in medicine, research, ecology,
and more.
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 Discuss how biological observations of 18th Century that lead to major discoveries.

1.Systematic Classi cation (Carl Linnaeus)

◦ Developed the binomial nomenclature system (Genus + species).
◦ Standardized the naming and classi cation of organisms.
◦ Laid the foundation for modern taxonomy.
2.Microscopy Advances
◦ Improved microscopes allowed better observation of cells, tissues, and
microorganisms.
◦ Helped in identifying the building blocks of life and early ideas of cell theory.
3.Comparative Anatomy (Georges Cuvier)
◦ Observed similarities and differences in animal structures.
◦ Supported the idea of extinction and fossil record study.
◦ Paved the way for evolutionary biology.
4.Botanical Studies and Plant Physiology
◦ Observation of plant structure and reproduction.
◦ Early understanding of photosynthesis and plant transport systems.
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 5.Early Evolutionary Thought (Erasmus Darwin)
◦ Proposed that species change over time through natural processes.
◦ In uenced later evolutionary theories, including those of Charles Darwin.
6.Human Anatomy and Medicine
◦ Detailed studies of the human body through dissection.
◦ Improved understanding of organs, blood circulation, and disease.
Examples from Brownian motion and the origin of thermodynamics by referring to the original
observation of Robert Brown and Julius Mayor.

1. Robert Brown and Brownian Motion (1827)

• Observation:
Robert Brown observed tiny pollen grains suspended in water under a microscope.
These grains moved randomly without any visible cause.
• Signi cance:
At rst, Brown thought the motion was due to life or internal activity of the grains.
Later it was understood that this random movement was caused by collisions with
water molecules, which were themselves in motion — even though invisible.
• Scienti c Impact:
Brownian motion became strong evidence for the existence of atoms and molecules,
supporting the kinetic theory of matter.
It laid the groundwork for statistical mechanics and thermodynamics.
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 • Later Development:
Albert Einstein (1905) explained Brownian motion mathematically, linking it to
molecular movement and thermal energy — a key bridge to thermodynamics.
2. Julius Mayer and the Birth of Thermodynamics (1840s)
• Observation:
Julius Mayer, a German physician, observed that the color of blood differed between
tropical and temperate climates — leading him to consider the relationship between
food, energy, and body heat.
• Key Insight:
Mayer proposed that energy is conserved — it can change form (like from motion to
heat), but it cannot be created or destroyed.
This became the First Law of Thermodynamics (law of conservation of energy).
• Scienti c Impact:
Mayer's ideas connected biological processes with mechanical and thermal energy,
showing that living systems obey physical laws.
• Example:
When muscles contract during physical work, chemical energy (from food) is converted
into mechanical work and heat, a principle that Mayer helped to formalize.
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These examples will highlight the fundamental importance of observations in any scienti c inquiry.

1. Observation Sparks Curiosity and Investigation

• Robert Brown (1827) observed pollen grains moving randomly in water — with no
apparent external cause.
• Signi cance: This simple, unexplained movement led scientists to investigate further,
eventually linking it to molecular activity.
• Lesson: Even unexplained or confusing observations can be the seed of major
discoveries.
2. Observations Lead to Hypothesis Formation
• Brown’s observation led scientists to hypothesize that invisible particles (molecules)
might be causing the motion.
• Julius Mayer observed the difference in blood color based on climate, leading him to
theorize a relationship between heat, energy, and physiology.
• Lesson: Careful observation encourages scientists to formulate testable ideas or
hypotheses.
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3. Observations Bridge Theory and Reality
• Brownian motion later became evidence for atomic theory — turning an abstract idea
(atoms/molecules) into observable reality.
• Mayer’s observations helped connect biological processes to physical laws,
supporting the emerging thermodynamic theory.
• Lesson: Observations are essential for validating or refuting theories in real-world
conditions.

4. Observations Drive Scienti c Progress Through Repetition and Re nement

• Brown’s ndings were re ned by Einstein’s 1905 mathematical model, which
explained molecular motion in terms of temperature.
• Mayer’s concepts of energy conservation were later mathematically supported and
expanded into the laws of thermodynamics.
• Lesson: Repeated and re ned observations across time build stronger, more accurate
scienti c understanding.
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5. Observations Connect Different Disciplines
• Brown’s microscopic observations in uenced physics and chemistry through atomic
theory.
• Mayer’s physiological observations linked biology with physics and chemistry via
energy conservation.
• Lesson: Observations often unite multiple elds, leading to interdisciplinary
advances.

6. Observation Encourages Open-Mindedness and Critical Thinking

• Neither Brown nor Mayer had all the answers — but they documented and
questioned what they saw.
• Their observations encouraged future scientists to think critically and explore new
explanations.
• Lesson: Good science begins with noticing carefully and asking "why?"
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How do bird inspire airplanes?

1. Wing Shape (Airfoil Design)

• Birds have curved wings that help generate lift as air ows over them.
• Airplane wings are similarly designed as airfoils to mimic this lift-generating
principle.

2. Flapping vs. Fixed Wings

• While planes don’t ap their wings, early inventors like Leonardo da Vinci studied
bird apping to understand ight mechanics.
• Modern planes use xed wings for steady lift, inspired by gliding birds like eagles
and albatrosses.

3. Streamlined Body (Aerodynamics)

• Birds have sleek, streamlined bodies to reduce air resistance.
• Airplanes are built with a similar streamlined shape to y ef ciently and reduce
drag.
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4. Tail and Stability
• Birds use their tail feathers for balance, steering, and braking.
• Airplanes have a tail section (vertical and horizontal stabilizers) that serves the same
purpose — maintaining stability and control during ight.

5. Maneuverability and Control

• Birds adjust their wing shape and feather position for turns and dives.
• Airplanes use aps, ailerons, rudders, and elevators for similar control during ight.

6. Soaring and Gliding Techniques

• Large birds like vultures and albatrosses use thermal currents to glide long distances
with minimal effort.
• Glider planes and sailplanes use the same principle — ying without engines by
catching rising warm air.

Bonus: Flapping Wing Aircraft (Ornithopters)

• Some experimental aircraft called ornithopters are directly modeled on apping bird
wings for ight.
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Write the principles of ying what are the 4 principles of ight ?

1. Lift
• De nition: The upward force that opposes gravity and allows the aircraft to rise.
• How it works: Generated by the shape of the wings (airfoil), which creates a pressure
difference — lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below.
• Example: Birds ap or glide with curved wings to create lift; airplane wings are
designed similarly.

2. Weight (Gravity)
• De nition: The downward force caused by gravity pulling the aircraft toward Earth.
• How it works: Acts against lift; to y, lift must be greater than or equal to weight.
• Example: Aircraft are made with lightweight materials to reduce the force of gravity.

3. Thrust
• De nition: The forward force that moves the aircraft through the air.
• How it works: Created by engines or propellers in planes; by apping wings in birds.
• Example: Jet engines push air backward to move the plane forward.
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4. Drag
• De nition: The resistance force that opposes thrust and slows the aircraft down.
• How it works: Caused by air friction against the surface of the plane or bird.
• Example: Streamlined shapes reduce drag to make ying more ef cient.
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of learning from and imitating nature’s designs, systems,
and processes to solve human problems. It comes from “bio” (life) and “mimesis” (to
imitate).
How Do We Use Biomimicry?
We apply biomimicry in various elds by studying how nature works and mimicking it to
create sustainable and ef cient solutions.
✅ Examples of Using Biomimicry:
1. Velcro – Inspired by burrs that stick to animal fur.
2. Bullet trains – Nose shape inspired by a king sher’s beak for quiet and fast movement.
3. Self-cleaning surfaces – Based on the lotus leaf, which repels water and dirt.
4. Wind turbines – Blade design mimics humpback whale ns for better ef ciency.
5. Robotic arms – Modeled after octopus tentacles for exibility and strength.
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What are the three levels of biomimicry ?
Compare engineering design process & scienti c methods.

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Short note on Brownian motion .

1. De nition: Brownian motion is the random, zigzag movement of tiny particles

suspended in a uid (liquid or gas).
2. Discovered by: Robert Brown in 1827 while observing pollen grains in water under
a microscope.
3. Cause: The motion is caused by collisions with fast-moving molecules of the uid,
which are invisible to the naked eye.
4. Signi cance: Provided strong evidence for the existence of atoms and molecules.
5. Explained by: Albert Einstein in 1905, linking it to kinetic theory and thermal
motion of particles.
6. Applications: Used in physics, chemistry, biology, and nance (random motion in
stock prices).
7. Example: Pollen grains moving unpredictably in still water.
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Role of Biology in our life.

1. Health and Medicine – Helps us understand the human body, diseases, and develop
treatments, vaccines, and medicines.
2. Food and Agriculture – Improves crop yield, pest control, and sustainable farming
through biotechnology and genetics.
3. Environment Protection – Helps conserve biodiversity, study ecosystems, and address
pollution and climate change.
4. Genetics and Heredity – Explains how traits are passed on and helps in genetic
research and gene therapy.
5. Understanding Life – Explores how living organisms function, grow, and evolve.
6. Biotechnology – Develops new technologies using living organisms (e.g., biofuels,
biodegradable plastics).
7. Personal Decisions – Informs choices about nutrition, hygiene, and lifestyle based on
biological knowledge.
8. Forensic Science – Uses biological evidence (like DNA) in crime detection and
investigations.