Biothermodynamics

Book excerpt: Over the past several decades there has been increasing research interest in thermodynamics as applied to biological systems. This concerns topics such as muscle work and internal energy such as fat and starch. Applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to the human body are important to dieticians and health science experts, and applications of these concepts to the animal body are a major concern of animal scientists. This book covers these key topics, which are typically not covered in classic or traditional thermodynamics texts used in mechanical and chemical engineering.