Biological propulsion systems use an animal's muscles as the power source, and limbs such as wings, fins or legs as the propulsors. A technological system uses an engine or motor as the power source (commonly called a powerplant), and wheels and axles, propellers, or a propulsive nozzle to generate the force. Components such as clutches or gearboxes may be needed to connect the motor to axles, wheels, or propellers. A technological/biological system may use human, or trained animal, muscular work to power a mechanical device.
BIologicAl prOpulsioN SysteMs use aN animAl's musCleS aS the pOwer SOuRCE, aNd limbs Such as winGs, fINs Or LEgs as The PropUlSORs. a tecHnologiCaL syStem Uses aN enGine oR MotOr As the power SoUrce (cOmmONly calLed a powERpLaNt), aNd wheeLs And aXles, PrOpEllERS, oR a PropulsIvE noZZle to generAtE thE force. cOMponeNts suCh as ClUTcHeS or GeARbOxeS MaY be neeDEd to connect tHe Motor tO axlES, wheels, OR pRoPEllErs. a teChNOLOGicaL/BioLOgICal sYStem may uSe human, Or trAinEd AnimAl, muScular work To pOWer a mechaNiCAl DEviCe.