Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Biomimicry Definition Biomimicry is the science of applying nature-inspired designs in human engineering and invention to solve human problems. It was used to create the first flying machine, inspired by eagles and owls—this paved the way for technologies like jets and planes. It was also used in the invention of Velcro, which works in much…

Biomechanics Definition Biomechanics is an interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of physics to biological systems to understand how organism move and interact with their surroundings. Biomechanics is concerned with everything from microscopic systems like muscle contraction in cells, all the way to large-scale, whole-body motions like a jumping cat. Biomechanics applies the laws of…

Bioluminescence Definition Bioluminescence (shown below) refers to organisms which produce and emit light as a form of chemiluminescence. This light can be produced both by the organisms themselves or via symbiotic bacterial strains. Bioluminescence results from a chemical reaction that occurs between a light-emitting molecule termed a luciferin and an enzyme called a luciferase. In…

Bioinformatics Definition Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary science field which combines concepts from biology and computer science to tackle large, computational questions. The role of computers has risen increasingly in recent years, and nearly every science takes advantage of technology to process and analyze information. At the most basic level, bioinformatics can be considered the simple…

Biogeography Definition Biogeography refers to the distribution of various species and ecosystems geographically and throughout geological time and space. Biogeography is often studied in the context of ecological and historical factors which have shaped the geographical distribution of organisms over time. Specifically, species vary geographically based on latitude, habitat, segregation (e.g., islands), and elevation. The…

Biogeochemical Cycle Definition A biogeochemical cycle is one of several natural cycles, in which conserved matter moves through the biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. In biology, conserved matter refers to the finite amount of matter, in the form of atoms, that is present within the Earth. Since, according to the Law of Conservation of Mass, matter cannot be created or…

Biofilm Definition A biofilm is a thick layer of prokaryotic organisms that have aggregated to form a colony. The colony attaches to a surface with a slime layer which aids in protecting the microorganisms. There are a number of reasons why biofilms are formed, all of which promote growth and survival or the microorganisms. Biofilms…

Why is Biodiversity Important? Without biodiversity, the health of the planet is at stake. Every single species has a role to play, although some – like viruses and disease-carrying mosquitoes – are considered to be damaging to the well-being of humans and other organisms and steps are being taken to eradicate them. A healthy ecosystem…

Biochemistry Definition Biochemistry is the study of the chemical reactions that take place inside organisms. It combines elements from both biology and chemistry. Biochemistry became a separate discipline in the early 20th Century. Biochemists study relatively large molecules like proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, which are important in metabolism and other cellular activities; they also study molecules…

Bioavailability Definition When a substance such as a medicine or supplement enters your system, the portion of the total substance introduces which can effectively create a response determines that substance’s bioavailability. The bioavailability of a substance can fluctuate, depending on the route of administration. Intravenous administration, or a direct line into the bloodstream, is typically considered 100% bioavailability,…