What is Biological: Definition and 141 Discussions

Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all living organisms are made up of cells that process hereditary information encoded in genes, which can be transmitted to future generations. Another major theme is evolution, which explains the unity and diversity of life. Finally, all living organisms require energy to move, grow, and reproduce, as well as to regulate their own internal environment.Biologists are able to study life at multiple levels of organization. From the molecular biology of a cell to the anatomy and physiology of plants and animals, and evolution of populations. Hence, there are multiple subdisciplines within biology, each defined by the nature of their research questions and the tools that they use. Like other scientists, biologists use the scientific method to make observations, pose questions, generate hypotheses, and perform experiments to learn about the world around them.Life on Earth, which emerged more than 3.7 billion years ago, is immensely diverse. Biologists have sought to study and classify the various forms of life, from prokaryotic organisms such as archaea and bacteria to eukaryotic organisms such as protists, fungi, plants, and animals. These various living organisms contribute to the biodiversity of an ecosystem, where they play specialized roles in the cycling of nutrients and energy.

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  1. L

    Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of photon and electron

    The title was too long, original question was: Why is the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of photon and electron the same ? I was suspecting the charge of electron to possibly have some effect... Also, in biological matter, would there be a difference between photon damage and...
  2. S

    Biological effects of HF EM fields/radiation

    Hey all, Random question, but is there anyone in the microwave/radio frequency industry that also wonders the biological effects of constantly being exposed to it? From what I have been told, the effects are not scientifically sound, and as such, the majority of people I have met treat that...
  3. S

    Special Relativity and Biological Clocks.

    Hi. So the whole premise of special relativity seems to me to be hinged on the immutability of the speed of light, the fact that it is the same for every inertial frame of reference, and the fact that information and energy cannot travel faster than this. What really puzzles me is this whole...
  4. D

    For many years, biological scientists have sought to decipher

    For many years, biological scientists have sought to decipher cellular function by quantifying the degrees of protein and mRNA expression within populations of their cells of interest. Classically, these measurements required combining many cells into a single sample and rupturing their...
  5. G

    Unconventional Strategies for Defeating a Robotic Army in Urban Warfare

    I'm planning a semi-hard SF (around Mohs scale 4). I wonder, what can be the weaknesses of a robotic army? That enables to defeat it in urban warfare, by rebel groups, who managed to access some unexpected cutting edge technology, and some support from regular armies. So far, my ideas ...
  6. questar

    Biological Elements/Trace Elements

    I'm trying to determine the elements that are present in the human body. Online I'm finding inconsistent determinations. I'm reading that some lanthanoids are present, then on another site, none are present, though I see no reason that all lanthanoids would be present to some miniscule degree...
  7. U

    Biological neuron models and simulated data

    I have some very simple questions. 1. What are the real life applications of the biological neuron models (for example Hodgkin-Huxely model)? 2. Is their any online database from where I can get the original recordings data of a neuron? 3. or is there any way that I can...
  8. G

    Biological Fluid Dynamics - Approximate Navier Stokes Equations Solns

    Homework Statement Good evening. First post on this forum! The problem I wish to state would take too long to write by hand so I thought it best to do so via attachment. The question I am stuck on is part d and, in fact, part e also. Homework Equations All relevant equations are given...
  9. K

    Biological life as hard as iron?

    Would it be possible for biological life to evolve a part of itself to be as hard as iron? I’m thinking of a tree analog. The wood or bark can replace metal for a low-tech society. The planet itself is deficient in metals because of its history, so I’m not thinking that the life form uses...
  10. P

    Moving faster than light cannot stop biological aging Or can?

    Hi everyone, before I post I apologize for my bad English! I am not a physicist but I am interested in this stuff (I've read relativity theory and...) But I have a question regarding time traveling Imagine that it is true that we can travel at speed of light...So here is the famous example...
  11. E

    Does Research Exist on Biological Neural Network Chips?

    I have seen articles dealing with the growth of brain cells using stem cells. I have also seen, in the past, research attempting to mimic neural connections (using traditional silicon chips) for use in computing. I have searched for any mention of research into using actual living brain cells...
  12. N

    A biological weapon which drains moisture from flora and fauna?

    A biological weapon which "drains" moisture from flora and fauna? Hello everyone! I'm currently writing a novel in a setting where a biological weapon has devastated the world as we know it. Even though the story is not meant to be scientifically accurate and doesn't revolve around the...
  13. I

    What chemicals will dissolve biological matter fastest?

    In the matter of 30 seconds, preferably. So far it seems Sulfuric Acid, Hydrogen Peroxide and Permanganate in a cocktail will suffice. Are there any faster, cheaper methods? Thanks :)
  14. J

    Biological photonics: Can there be light in the brain?

    Hello, I am a mathematician and i have a personal theory of consciousness. Now, i DID read the rules for the forum, and i am aware that you guys don't want to be bothered with this, up to a point. However, i have isolated a key part of my theory in what are possibly satisfactory physical...
  15. H

    Water's role in biological catalysis?

    Why is water required to be present in biological processes involving catalysis. I read that online and the way it was written made it look sort of obvious ( like, duh ) but I don't understand it. Help?
  16. S

    Where is the Biological Clock in Our Body and How Does it Affect Us?

    where is the biological clock in our body? how does it effect us?
  17. bohm2

    Top-down causation-Is it really unique to the biological realm?

    In a recent paper Walker and Davies argue that top-down or downward causation may be unique to biological systems. They write: The Algorithmic Origins of Life http://arxiv.org/pdf/1207.4803v1.pdf Some others have argued that the possibility of "free will" can only occur where such top-down...
  18. M

    Possibilities of viruses as biological weapons

    Hey there, I've been writing an essay I need to turn in for one of my general eds and I needed to set it up so that every human is wiped out except some strange, tinfoil-hat family somewhere in some underground bunker and I decided to use some biological weapon in my story. Unfortunately...
  19. P

    Total osmolarity of blood? Curious about water weight vs. biological

    Total "osmolarity" of blood? Curious about water weight vs. biological I've seen plasma osmolality described on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_osmolality This looks at the concentration of electrolytes in the "plasma solvent". However, plasma is the liquid of the blood...
  20. I

    Time Dialation and Biological systems

    Can anyone prove that Time Dialation affects biological systems?
  21. C

    Using Advanced Physics to Model Biological Systems?

    Using Advanced Physics to Model Biological Systems?? Just out of curiosity, is physics (advanced or theoretical, not simple classical physics like thermodynamics or mechanical properties) ever used to model, solve, explain, or apply to medical or biological (human) systems? I know hemodynamics...
  22. H

    Stereoisomers and biological functions?

    I'm reading a book concerning cell biology and have a question. Some molecules are mirror images of one another and such molecules are called optical isomers, or stereoisomers. The different stereoisomers of a molecule usually have completely different biological activities. Now in biology...
  23. G

    A biological semiconductor?

    Right, so I'm a freshman in college right now, so if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Would it be possible to get a biological system to imitate or act like a semiconductor or nanoelectronic device or is that a fantasy? Does anyone here have experience doing it? Or perhaps use nanoelectronics to solve...
  24. M

    Biological Apatite Femur: Chemical Composition

    What is the detailed chemical composition of biological apatite of femur?
  25. M

    Biological Engineering on a large scale

    Why aren't we still able to create/alter organisms for energy and food production, since we can easily sequence and cut and paste DNA?
  26. N

    Chemical physics of water and biological tissue (specifically, food)?

    I was wondering about the effects of water on a cellular level when frozen. From what I know, when the water freezes it expands and it crystallizes. Now, when I get my salmon fresh, I know not to freeze it if possible, because freezing it ruins the texture and goodness of the meat. Also, if...
  27. P

    Biological limits on pepper arms race?

    In the last year or so, there has been a breeder arms race to produce the hottest pepper. The peak has gone up a little over 1 million scoville to over 1.5 million scoville in a short time. Since pure capsaicin is 16 million scoville, there is a well defined upper limit. I don't know the...
  28. P

    Is biological life a product of a probability wave

    My question is based around the subject of quantum processes. Is it possible that every living thing is a probable outcome of the original spark or energy. thus saying that every other living thing is a different version of myself. just a thought
  29. S

    Preparing biological samples for electron microscope

    Hi Guys, Ive been doing some work with E. Coli recently and I would like to image them under a scanning electron microscope. There are lots of papers with lots of different methods to prepare them for such a feat... but has anyone here actually done it and gotten a decent image? If so what...
  30. A

    Biological mathematics - trimerisations - law of mass action

    Homework Statement In the real world trimolecular reactions are rare, although trimerizations are not. Consider the following trimerization reaction in which three monomers of A combine to form the trimer C, A + A \Updownarrow B, where k1 and k-1 are the forward and reverse rate...
  31. G

    EM field of cell, microtubules, quantum behavior in biological systems

    The cytoskeletal structures were considered responsible for the elementary cellular intelligence in the past. (For example, see the articles from Albrecht Buehler. http://www.basic.northwestern.edu/g-buehler/FRAME.HTM.) Microtubules are pipe-like structures made of two kinds of proteins...
  32. C

    Elementary questions on biological shielding in nuclear submarines

    I'd be grateful to be pointed to some elementary information on the biological shielding in nuclear submarines. (Searching the web did not turn up what I was seeking). I understand that the reactor is somewhere near the centre of the sub, with shielding bulkheads fore and aft of the...
  33. M

    Non-ionizing radiation & biological effects

    I was wondering how waves of the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum differ from each other besides mere frequency and more specifically with respect to possible biological effects. How does exposure of a human or other organism to for example radiation from visible light differ to...
  34. E

    Biological Determinism & Plasticity

    A thought popped into my head today regarding biological determinism and possible consequences of such, and more specifically, how plasticity of the brain plays some role in this. Many purport that once we reach a great enough level of expertise in the natural sciences--specifically...
  35. N

    SERS Substrates for Adsorbing Biological Materials

    I'm interested in coating a coverslip with a thin layer of silver for SERS. I intend to grow a salmonella biofilm on it afterwards and get the spectrum. Does anyone have any experience with SERS and if so can you give me your advice for preparing SERS substrates to adsorb biological materials...
  36. R

    Solaculture: A novel biological approach for low cost energy?

    This seems to be a very interesting low-tech system to harness solar energy. I would greatly appreciate any input, critical or supportive, from the many knowledgeable posters who frequent this forum. You can click on the link and watch a short video, or just read the description of how it works...
  37. R

    Relevance of ELFs in Biological System

    What parts (molecular, cellular, etc.) and processes in the human body use ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) electric field and magnetic fields ? For instance. Findl in 1987 discovered that exogenous fields modify cellular calcium ion transport. Westerhoff et al. discovered that enzymatic...
  38. M

    Black Hole time dilation + biological paradox

    If a spaceship housing humans were to travel near a black hole, time would slow down due to the increased gravity. However, with what we currently know about cellular biology and gravity, humans need to stay around 1g to proliferate properly. Now if the spaceship generates an artificial...
  39. P

    Biological Effects of Radiation - 1st Year UG Physics

    Questions Polonium-210 has a half life of 138.4 days. It decays to stable Pb-206 by emitting an alpha particle with a kinetic energy of 5.31 MeV. Alpha radiation of this energy has a relative biological effectiveness of 20. a) If the difference in mass of Po-210 and Pb-206 nuclei is...
  40. P

    Biological Effects of Radiation - 1st year Physics

    Questions Polonium-210 has a half life of 138.4 days. It decays to stable Pb-206 by emitting an alpha particle with a kinetic energy of 5.31 MeV. Alpha radiation of this energy has a relative biological effectiveness of 20. a) If the difference in mass of Po-210 and Pb-206 nuclei is 4.00731u...
  41. L

    Examples of quantum mechanical involvement in biological systems

    Hello, Can anyone can point me to any well established examples of quantum mechanical involvement in biological systems besides photosynthesis, e.g. http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/PBD-quantum-secrets.html" ? I've only seen some other (speculative) involving quantum "spin" and...
  42. D

    Time dilation in biological processes

    Has time dilation ever been observed to occur in biological processes (e.g. the rate at which bacteria divides)? Thanks.
  43. D

    Definition of The Biological Sexes

    What are the formal biological definitions of male and female? Are they different for humans than for other animals? Does the medical field use different definitions than the biological community?
  44. J

    Biological carrier wave signals

    hi yea umm is there any research/thinking regarding carrier wave signals being transmited vocally? jb
  45. A

    Biological Names: Tips for Memorization & Categorization

    biological names ! I am sorry for such a stupid question... The thing is that I am very new to Biology in my Biomedical Engineering and I am unable to memorize all the different names of the different parts of the human body. I manage to memorize them all but somehow, I sometimes mix...
  46. P

    *Particles to biological cells?*

    Does anyone know where I can get information on how particles such and quarks/lepton that form atoms, atoms to molecules and molecules to cellular life.? What area of physics is based on the area of study and can evolution of biological organism be traced?
  47. genphis

    Quantum mechanics at a biological macro level

    i have been pondering the idea of quantum mechanics on a macro biological level. i propose that all life is a viable version of one entity. let's localize the idea to our species. we are all aware that our gene pool is said to be quite small, but i think this goes deeper than genetics and...
  48. K

    Biological Differential Equation

    Homework Statement I have a system of coupled differential equations of the form \frac{dR_1}{dt} = R_1^0 \cdot g\left( \frac{R_2}{K_R} \right) - R_1 \frac{dR_2}{dt} = R_2^0 \cdot g\left( \frac{R_1}{K_R} \right) - R_1 where g\left( \frac{ R_i}{K_r} \right) = \frac{ 1 + f\cdot \left[ \frac{...
  49. O

    Medical Pressure dispersion in biological tissues

    Hi, being a skeptical MD (radiology), I'd like to have a physicist's view on a chiropractic mechanical device called the "Activator" (http://activator.com/, http://www.youtube.com/user/drcherok, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knM5dx2tFH0&feature=related), which in my view is a worthless and...
  50. N

    Is there a biological basis for helping people?

    A few mornings ago, I helped a young woman with her car (dead battery), which made me late for work. Which brought some negative consequences to me. Yet I would do the same thing again just to help. With no benefit to me, but with negative consequences, I felt good for helping someone in...
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