Basic Biomechanics Flashcards
(13 cards)
Define isometric scaling
The same shape occurring across different sizes
Define allometric scaling
The rate of growth of one body part relative to another, or relative to the whole growth of an organism
Define biomechanics
Applying engineering principles to biological systems, looking at how forces create motion
List a variety of uses for biomechanics
Biomedical engineering - e.g. prosthetic development
Biofluid mechanics - understanding vascular pressure and flow dynamics
Trauma management Physical Ergonomics - designing products adapted for certain needs e.g. The elderly, pregnant women
Sports biomechanics e.g. Tapered cycling helmets
Clinical biomechanics
Cellular biomechanics
Computational biomechanics
Describe and explain quantities that are fundamental to biomechanics
Area and volume used to describe size.
Density describes how much impact gravity has on something.
Velocity is speed with direction.
Gravity is a form of acceleration.
Name and explain the three laws of motion
Inertia: every object will remain at rest until a force has been applied and exceeds the force of friction
Motion: the acceleration of an object is proportional to the force placed upon it.
Action, reaction: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Describe the torque and lever principle
Torque: amount of force around a central axis, fulcrum or pivot
Lever: perpendicular distance between the force and the fulcrum.
Use torques and levers to explain the relationship between speed and strength
Even if input forces and velocities remain the same, if the lever arm ratio changes then output forces and velocities change.
e.g. long lever + fulcrum positioned far away = less force, more velocity (runner)
short lever + fulcrum positioned closer = more force, less velocity (digger)
Define centre of mass
A point about which a solid body is evenly balanced, this may be moved depending on the mechanical situation. (Functional i.e. Running compared to jumping or evolutionary i.e. As dinosaurs changed length of tails and necks)
Describe the concept of drag
When forces in motion act in opposite directions .
Friction drag can be diminished through smoothing of surfaces.
Pressure drag (when low pressure is formed behind and object causing it to move towards the low pressure area) can be diminished through streamlining.
Define stress and strain
Stress: a force acting on an element of an organism.
Strain: the deformation of material through stress.
Describe types of structural material in the body
Hydrostat: Structure that is pressurized from within an has walls that resist tension and fluid that resists compression - found in the notochord.
Connective tissues:
Ligaments and tendons - dense regular connective tissue with varying levels of collagen and elastin, placed in areas where tension resistance is required.
Cartilage and bone - tough fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage, weak elastic.
Define kinematic chains
Mechanical systems to reduce the amount of muscle mass required.
