Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the interdisciplinary study that applies the principles of mechanics—the branch of physics concerned with the action of forces on bodies—to biological systems. It seeks to understand the structure and function of living organisms, from the molecular level of proteins and cells to the macroscopic level of entire organisms and ecosystems, by analyzing their mechanical properties and how they move. By investigating the interplay between forces, motion, and biological form, biomechanics provides crucial insights into a vast range of topics, including animal locomotion, the flow of blood in vessels, the resilience of bone to fracture, and the ergonomics of human movement.

1. Introduction to Biomechanics
   1. Defining Biomechanics
      1. Scope of Biomechanics
      2. Key Terminology
   2. Historical Perspectives
      1. Early Foundations
      2. Key Figures in Biomechanics
      3. Evolution of the Field
   3. Interdisciplinary Nature
      1. Integration with Biology
      2. Integration with Engineering
      3. Integration with Medicine
      4. Integration with Physics
   4. Scales of Analysis
      1. Molecular and Cellular Level
         1. Molecular Motors
         2. Cellular Mechanics
      2. Tissue and Organ Level
         1. Tissue Structure and Function
         2. Organ-Level Biomechanics
      3. Organismal Level
         1. Whole-Body Movement
         2. Functional Adaptations
      4. Population and Ecosystem Level
         1. Comparative Biomechanics
         2. Ecological Implications