Main description:

Biophysics - the science of physical principles of life itself, of biological systems - is presented here not merely as physics for biologists, but as an entirely independent subject with its own innate network of ideas and approaches. From the microscopic forces that constitute life, the intramolecular bonds and ionic interactions, to the macroscopic forces of the environment, temperature and pressure, the author presents and explains all aspects of life from a Biophysicist's point of view. Exciting biological themes such as neuronal processing and differentiation as well as current medical and environmental topics are introduced from a surprising perspective in this imaginative new textbook.

Feature:

A total new approach to biophysics as the physical principles underlying the phenomenon of life
With its clear structure it is a highly suitable textbook for graduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. students

Back cover:

The message of this book is that biophysics is the science of physical principles underlying the "phenomenon life" on all levels of organization. Rather than teaching "physics for biologists" or "physical methods applied to biology", it regards its subject as a defined discipline with its own network of ideas and approaches. The book starts by explaining molecular structures of biological systems, various kinds of atomic, molecular and ionic interactions, movements, energy transfer, self organization of supramolecular structures and dynamic properties of biological membranes. It then goes on to introduce the biological organism as a non-equilibrium system, before treating thermodynamic concepts of osmotic and electrolyte equilibria as well as currents and potential profiles. It continues with topics of environmental biophysics and such medical aspects as the influence of electromagnetic fields or radiation on living systems and the biophysics of hearing and noice protection. The book concludes with a discussion of system analyses, including models of neural processes as well as of ecological interactions, growth, differentiation and evolution.

Contents:

1 Nature and Subject of Biophysics.- 2 Molecular Structure of Biological Systems.- 3 Energetics and Dynamics of Biological Systems.- 4 Physical Factors of the Environment.- 5 The Kinetics of Biological Systems.- References.