Abstract
Among the important principles in biology that should be taught in biological engineering educational programs is the principle of optimization, what it means, why it is important, and how it comes about. This material can be presented at numerous levels throughout the curriculum. Understanding of this principle can lead biological engineers to expect it in many, if not all, biological system applications. Understanding optimization in biological systems can help understand the predictive power of evolutionary principles and what to expect from living things incorporated in designs.
Highlights
The paradox of biology is that living things are so energy expensive, even lavish, yet display a certain energy parsimony in almost everything they do
There is a tendency toward domination in the world of biology to make the maximum use of finite resources
Because biological optima are the direct result of competition among living things in an environment with limited resources, and the evolutionary tendency to maximize survival and reproduction, biological engineers who understand how optima appear in biological systems will better understand the workings of evolution and the ways in which environments are affected by living things and living things affect their environments [1]
Summary
The paradox of biology is that living things are so energy expensive, even lavish, yet display a certain energy parsimony in almost everything they do. The biological unit that achieves better efficiency than its neighbors has a reproductive advantage and can exploit a larger share of whatever energy resources are available. There is enough competitive pressure in biology that the benefit to cost ratio of almost every biological function must be optimized.
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