The Physical Basis of Biochemistry is an introduction to the philosophy and practice of an interdisciplinary field in which biological systems are explored using the quantitative perspective of the physical scientist. As with the first edition, the idea that a fundamental understanding of the basic physical principles underlying chemical biological systems is vital remains the focus of this second edition. This new edition of The Physical Basis of Biochemistry has substantial new material added with respect to models at the simple molecular level (including van der Waals gases and virial treatments) which is tied to coverage of models of polymer thermo-dynamics. The second edition is partitioned into five sections: the central concept that science is a way of looking at the world; the physical under-pinnings of biophysical chemistry with an emphasis first on energy, work and forces of biological importance; exploring how models applicable to molecular biophysics are constructed; the three-dimensional potential energy surface put into motion; and a succinct discussion of the bio-physical methods used to evaluate structure and function in biological systems. Additionally, a section of appendices continues to serve the pur¬pose of presenting some review information and certain topics in detail. The Physical Basis of Biochemistry will be of interest to quantitatively-oriented biologists as well as aspiring chemists, physicists, and engineers with an interest in biological systems.
Author(s): Peter R. Bergethon (auth.)
Edition: 2
Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 950
Tags: Biochemistry, general;Biophysics and Biological Physics;Physical Chemistry;Biomedicine general
Front Matter....Pages i-xxix
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Introduction: To the Student – First Edition....Pages 3-4
Philosophy and Practice of Biophysical Study....Pages 5-22
Overview of the Biological System Under Study....Pages 23-55
Physical Thoughts, Biological Systems – The Application of Modeling Principles to Understanding Biological Systems....Pages 57-80
Probability and Statistics....Pages 81-106
Front Matter....Pages 107-107
Energy and Force – The Prime Observables....Pages 109-123
Biophysical Forces in Molecular Systems....Pages 125-190
Physical Principles: Quantum Mechanics....Pages 191-242
Chemical Principles....Pages 243-268
Measuring the Energy of a System: Energetics and the First Law of Thermodynamics....Pages 269-291
Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics....Pages 293-326
Which Way Is That System Going? The Gibbs Free Energy....Pages 327-350
The Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria....Pages 351-385
Front Matter....Pages 387-387
Water: A Unique Solvent and Vital Component of Life....Pages 389-408
Ion–Solvent Interactions....Pages 409-439
Ion–Ion Interactions....Pages 441-459
Lipids in Aqueous Solution....Pages 461-484
Macromolecules in Solution....Pages 485-552
Molecular Modeling – Mapping Biochemical State Space....Pages 553-582
The Electrified Interphase....Pages 583-601
Front Matter....Pages 603-603
Transport – A Non-equilibrium Process....Pages 605-610
Flow in a Chemical Potential Field: Diffusion....Pages 611-623
Flow in an Electric Field: Conduction....Pages 625-647
Forces Across Membranes....Pages 649-667
Kinetics – Chemical Kinetics....Pages 669-712
Dynamic Bioelectrochemistry – Charge Transfer in Biological Systems....Pages 713-737
Front Matter....Pages 739-739
Separation and Characterization of Biomolecules Based on Macroscopic Properties....Pages 741-777
Analysis of Molecular Structure with Electronic Spectroscopy....Pages 779-814
Molecular Structure from Scattering Phenomena....Pages 815-836
Analysis of Structure – Microscopy....Pages 837-855
Epilogue....Pages 857-858
Physical Constants....Pages 859-859
Back Matter....Pages 861-949
