Buch, Englisch, 528 Seiten, Format (B × H): 283 mm x 222 mm, Gewicht: 1662 g
Physical Processes Underlying the Living State
Buch, Englisch, 528 Seiten, Format (B × H): 283 mm x 222 mm, Gewicht: 1662 g
ISBN: 978-1-119-69640-7
Verlag: John Wiley & Sons Inc
An introduction to the physics of living organisms
The field of biophysics employs the principles of physics to study biological systems, and introduces the concept of the living state. It is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the living state combining physics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, medicine and engineering. The physics of macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies is a particularly important aspect of this broader field.
Biophysics: Physical Processes Underlying the living state offers an introduction to the general principles of the living state and their biological applications. Beginning with an historical overview of fundamental scientific theories and fields, the book then provides a brief introduction to cell biology and biochemistry, and then an overview of basic thermodynamics, kinetics, information theory, electrostatics in solution, fluid mechanics and macromolecular physics, and their relationship to the living state. After a presentation of physical methods, with an emphasis on light scattering, different biological macromolecules, selected aspects of their functions, and their physical properties and interactions are surveyed. A brief introduction to vision, biomotion, and theoretical biology is also provided. Exploration of some frontier issues in prebiotic origins of life, consciousness, and astrobiology round out the book. The result is a multifaceted window into the broad and evolving field of biophysics.
Biophysics readers will also find: - Problems at the conclusion of each chapter to reinforce and focus student knowledge
- A gathering of topics in basic physics and physical chemistry which are seldom found in a single source
This textbook is suitable for physics and engineering students studying biophysics, macromolecular science, and biophysical chemistry, as well as for polymer scientists, chemists, biochemists, cell and molecular biologists, bioengineers, and others.
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Weitere Infos & Material
Preface xvi
Acknowledgments xx
About the Companion Website xxi
Part I Scientific Overview, Biological and Biochemical Surveys 1
1 Background Notions, Histories, and Fundamental Issues in Physics and Biophysics 3
1.1 The Evolution of Scientific Thought 3
1.2 Historical Sketch of Atomic Theory and Evolutionary and Genetic Thought 7
1.3 Historical Developments in Biophysics 15
1.4 Subfields in Biophysics 19
1.5 Interdisciplinarity 20
1.6 Disciplinary Physics 23
1.7 Are Currently Known Physical Laws Adequate for Understanding Living State Phenomena? 28
1.8 Unifying Characteristics of the Living State 29
1.9 Summary 30
2 Overview of Biological Cell Structure 34
2.1 The Prokaryotic Cell 34
2.2 The Eukaryotic Cell 36
2.3 Plant Cell 37
2.4 Where Do Viruses Fit in? 37
2.5 Overview of Cell Functions 39
2.6 Specialized Cell Types and Structures 44
2.7 Molecular Biology Methods 50
2.8 Summary 52
3 Biochemistry Survey 53
3.1 Amino Acids and Proteins 53
3.2 Nucleic Acids 58
3.3 Carbohydrates 62
3.4 Lipids 64
3.5 Metabolism 67
3.6 Summary 73
Part II Physical Processes Underlying the Living State 75
4 Thermodynamics, Reaction Kinetics, and Information Theory 77
4.1 Thermodynamically Based Forces 77
4.2 Thermodynamic Laws 78
4.3 Thermodynamic Processes Involving Ideal Gases 82
4.4 Connection Between Ideal Gas Law and Molecular Kinetic Energy 84
4.5 The Boltzmann Distribution 86
4.6 The Partition Function 91
4.7 Statistical Interpretation of Entropy 93
4.8 Ideal Osmotic Solutions 94
4.9 Working Substances and Bioenergetics Cycles 99
4.10 The Hydrophobic Effect 99
4.11 Surface Tension 99
4.12 Thermodynamics of Multicomponent Solutions 102
4.
