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Ariel Habshush

Electrical Engineering student, The Cooper Union For The Advancement of Science and Art

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Our bodies are amazing nano/micro electrical factories!

Did you know that our cells have electric and mechanical systems like the ones you can find inside your electronic devices? For example, the electrical properties of nerve cells (neurons) can be modeled using the same electrical circuit theories! In a way, our bodies are complex biological machines! Let's discuss this in details!

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Topics: Bioelectricity TEDinClass TEDinClass and "Bioelectr cellular electricity
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Closing Statement from Ariel Habshush

Throughout this session many examples have been given that depict how our bodies contain electrical and mechanical systems. A specific electrical system example was how the cell membrane can be compared to a BJT and PN junction semiconductor devices (see Andrew and Simon's comments). As an electrical engineering student I find it fascinating that our cells can be compared to circuit components. With regards to mechanical systems, Steven said that the human leg can be modeled as a spring governed by the equation F=-Kx. It amazing how such complex creatures as ourselves can be studied using equations governing physics!

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  • Zach Padove

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    Feb 2 2012: I find it amazing how any organism is able to run efficiently, sometimes with no outside assistance. Specifically what intrigues me is how cells divide, and operate. It is interesting how stem cells can decide what type of cell they will become, as if they were blank CD's on a machine line, waiting for the programmer to imprint the chosen software on them. The only difference is, a burned CD cannot replicate itself, it needs another machine to duplicate it.

    It is also interesting how these cells can work together to form such a complex system as the body, almost as if they communicate with each other on an individual level. How much do we really know about how these systems interact?
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      Dionne Lutz

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      Feb 7 2012: Hey Zach,
      I'm excited to say we have only just scratched the surface of cell biology! Scientists have known for decades that electricity stimulates cells to divide (making IVF possible), but now we are exploring the effects of different amounts of currents or voltages have on the cells themselves. The hard part is studying the cells as tissues and their interactions with one another - there really is only so much one could do in the lab.

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