12.4 Biology
341
• Some of the applications of exergy are electricity generation, energy productivity
within the industry as well as combined power and heat schemes.
• Sustainable energy solution should also have the same characteristics as lowcarbon energy solutions. In other words, low-carbon solutions are an application
of physics that seek to provide sustainable energy solutions (Davidson et al.
2010).
• Mimicking nature using twenty-first century technology needs skillful engineering.
Is Africa doing enough to ensure that the study of physics enhances sustainability? Explain how Africa can reorient itself to benefit from concepts of
sustainable physics. In what ways can sustainability in the physics subject
contribute to a better world? Explain how Africa can exploit engineering to
ensure that agriculture becomes sustainable.
12.4 Biology
Biology is defined as the science of life. Biologists often study the function,
structure, distribution, growth, and origin of living organisms. There are various
branches of biology. Biochemistry is a branch of biology that studies material
substances that constitute living things. Botany is the study of plants, whereas
cellular biology is the study of the basic units of living organisms. Genetics is
defined as the study of heredity, whereas ecology studies the way organisms interact
with the environment (Clark 2007). Finally, the concept of equilibrium is whereby
all living organisms are expected to maintain homeostasis with their environment.
The next section examines the way sustainability is applied in Biology.
12.4.1 Basic Definitions and Concepts
• Active Transport: The movement of molecules in and out of partially permeable
cell membranes using energy obtained from respiration.
• Adaptation: The process of getting used to an environment or habitat.
• Addiction: This refers to the situation whereby one has taken a substance for
some time to the extent that they cannot stop it without experiencing withdrawal
symptoms.
• Aerobic Respiration: The respiration process that makes use of oxygen from the
atmosphere.
• Biodegradable: A substance that has properties that can be broken down by
natural processes.
341
• Some of the applications of exergy are electricity generation, energy productivity
within the industry as well as combined power and heat schemes.
• Sustainable energy solution should also have the same characteristics as lowcarbon energy solutions. In other words, low-carbon solutions are an application
of physics that seek to provide sustainable energy solutions (Davidson et al.
2010).
• Mimicking nature using twenty-first century technology needs skillful engineering.
Is Africa doing enough to ensure that the study of physics enhances sustainability? Explain how Africa can reorient itself to benefit from concepts of
sustainable physics. In what ways can sustainability in the physics subject
contribute to a better world? Explain how Africa can exploit engineering to
ensure that agriculture becomes sustainable.
12.4 Biology
Biology is defined as the science of life. Biologists often study the function,
structure, distribution, growth, and origin of living organisms. There are various
branches of biology. Biochemistry is a branch of biology that studies material
substances that constitute living things. Botany is the study of plants, whereas
cellular biology is the study of the basic units of living organisms. Genetics is
defined as the study of heredity, whereas ecology studies the way organisms interact
with the environment (Clark 2007). Finally, the concept of equilibrium is whereby
all living organisms are expected to maintain homeostasis with their environment.
The next section examines the way sustainability is applied in Biology.
12.4.1 Basic Definitions and Concepts
• Active Transport: The movement of molecules in and out of partially permeable
cell membranes using energy obtained from respiration.
• Adaptation: The process of getting used to an environment or habitat.
• Addiction: This refers to the situation whereby one has taken a substance for
some time to the extent that they cannot stop it without experiencing withdrawal
symptoms.
• Aerobic Respiration: The respiration process that makes use of oxygen from the
atmosphere.
• Biodegradable: A substance that has properties that can be broken down by
natural processes.