Main description:

"an impressive text that addresses a glaring gap in the teaching of physical chemistry, being specifically focused on biologically-relevant systems along with a practical focus.... the ample problems and tutorials throughout are much appreciated."
-Tobin R. Sosnick, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago

"Presents both the concepts and equations associated with statistical thermodynamics in a unique way that is at visual, intuitive, and rigorous. This approach will greatly benefit students at all levels."
-Vijay S. Pande, Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry, Stanford University

"a masterful tour de force.... Barrick's rigor and scholarship come through in every chapter."
-Rohit V. Pappu, Edwin H. Murty Professor of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis

This book provides a comprehensive, contemporary introduction to developing a quantitative understanding of how biological macromolecules behave using classical and statistical thermodynamics. The author focuses on practical skills needed to apply the underlying equations in real life examples. The text develops mechanistic models, showing how they connect to thermodynamic observables, presenting simulations of thermodynamic behavior, and analyzing experimental data. The reader is presented with plenty of exercises and problems to facilitate hands-on learning through mathematical simulation.

Douglas E. Barrick is a professor in the Department of Biophysics at Johns Hopkins University. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in biophysics and structural biology from the University of Oregon.

Contents:

Series Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Note to Instructors

Author

Chapter 1 Probabilities and Statistics in Chemical and Biothermodynamics

Chapter 2 Mathematical Tools in Thermodynamics

Chapter 3 The Framework of Thermodynamics and the First Law

Chapter 4 The Second Law and Entropy

Chapter 5 Free Energy as a Potential for the Laboratory and for Biology

Chapter 6 Using Chemical Potentials to Describe Phase Transitions

Chapter 7 The Concentration Dependence of Chemical Potential, Mixing, and Reactions

Chapter 8 Conformational Equilibrium

Chapter 9 Statistical Thermodynamics and the Ensemble Method

Chapter 10 Ensembles That Interact with Their Surroundings

Chapter 11 Partition Functions for Single Molecules and Chemical Reactions

Chapter 12 The Helix-Coil Transition

Chapter 13 Ligand Binding Equilibria from a Macroscopic Perspective

Chapter 14 Ligand Binding Equilibria from a Microscopic Perspective

Appendix: How to Use Mathematica 485

Bibliography

Index