Biology of volume in Newtonian medical physics

[AntonioLao]

It can be argued that physical volume defined by Newton as the mass divisor directly defining mass density, is not physically meaningful if there exists no equilibrium configuration for physical pressure. In this sense, pressure is defined as force per unit area. In cosmology, pressure is equivalent to energy per unit volume which is also known as energy density. In the largest sense, the whole universe has a physical volume if and only if it is totally and completely homogeneous and isotropic. Total and complete homogeneity and isotropy is a true idealization applicable to a static universe but not to a dynamic one. Every infinitesimal local motion of any vector field will destroy the perfect symmetry of the idealization.


In the applied science of biology, especially in the physiology of living circulatory systems, the practicality of red blood cells to form non-spherical shapes in order to maximize surface area for oxygen absorption deviate from the homogeneity and isotropy for defining physical volume. On the other hand, minimizing this surface area, which increases surface pressure, leads to sickle cell anemia which is a fatal incurable disease. A cure using ideas of physics is simply to change the shape of the cells in order to increase surface areas for oxygen absorption and reducing inward cell pressure. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.