SVKM’S NMIMS

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING

Elements of Biology- Tutorial 1

This tutorial is submitted in partial fulfilment

of the requirements for the degree of MBA (Tech)

By
Abhijeet Das

J070
Under Supervision of
Prof. Geetanjali Gokhale
Q1. Bring out the relation between science and engineering with relevant examples.
Ans: Science and Engineering are inter-related. It is because of Science only that made us humans
capable to explore the hidden truths of this universe. It was log ago when researchers started examining
natural phenomena happening around them like, why sun rises and sets, why water flows, why things
fall etc. The study and knowledge of these natural phenomena is called Science. To study Science in a
better way, humans have developed tools, technology which helped them in understanding these
phenomena.

Science is theoretical whereas engineering is practical. Without science we would not be able to do
things in a much more efficient way. Our life expectancy has increased because of Science.

Science: Knowledge of general truths & laws

Engineering: Applying scientific knowledge to build/design/create.

Technology: Result of Science with the help of Engineering

Q2. Write a note on current advancement in the field of biological sciences

Ans: A lot of advancement have taken place by studying the life and living creatures, their life cycles,
adaptations, and environment. In this century, often called ‘the century of biology’ in the context of
advancements and contributions, a better understanding of biology is expected to lead to revolutionary
technologies and products.

The current advancements in biological sciences have helped human to live happily. The discovery of
antibiotics was a medical marvel which not only helped cure diseases in humans but also increased their
life expectancy.

It is because of the biological science only that our scientists today were able to develop a vaccine for
Covid-19. Imagining a world without biological science, humans would have become extinct by now.

From examining an eye to the making of a camera, to the study of birds and making of an airplane,
everything is related to biology and life around us.
Q3. Explain with some examples how biological observations of 18th century have led to major
discoveries
Ans: In 18th century, Scientists/researchers were curious about the things happening around them. We
live on a planet covered in life, and humans have tried to understand how living things work for as long
as we have been around. This knowledge has supported, and continues to support, our success as a
species.

Aristotle was one of these first biologists and pursued finding the core of human intelligence, which he
concluded to be the heart. At this point in history, biological study primarily consisted of classifying
organisms and understanding the human body on the macroscopic level. But the advent of the
microscope opened a whole new world of living things.

Some of the observations around these scientists has led to great inventions which made human life
safer and easier. For eg: making of an airplane while observing a bird; with the study of human eye, we
could invent camera; the ancient Patanjali Yoga was also a result of the study of living creatures.
Q4. Cite two examples that can explain bio-inspired products
Ans: Examples:

a) Airplane- from the study of birds

b) Camera- Study of human eye
c) The front of airplane and bullet trains are inspired by birds
d) Architecture of modern building are bio-inspired as well

Q5. Write a note on the origin of thermodynamics referring to the original observation of Julius
Mayer.
Ans: Julius Robert Mayer was a German physician, chemist and physicist and one of the founders of
thermodynamics. Thermo means heat and heat is equivalent of energy. He is best known for
enunciating in 1841 one of the original statements of the conservation of energy or what is now known
as one of the first versions of the first law of thermodynamics, namely that "energy can be neither
created nor destroyed”, it can only be transferred.

In 1842, Mayer described the vital chemical process now referred to as oxidation as the primary source
of energy for any living creature.

His achievements were overlooked and priority for the discovery of the mechanical equivalent of heat
was attributed to James Joule in the following year. He also proposed that plants convert light into
chemical energy which was explained in the process of photosynthesis.