<EM>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 <EM>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. <EM>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.
The Physical Basis of Biochemistry
Peter R. Bergethon
The Physical Basis of Biochemistry The Foundations of Molecular Biophysics Second Edition
Chapters 27 and 28 written with Kristin E. Bergethon
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Peter R. Bergethon Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology and Biochemistry Boston University School of Medicine 715 Albany Street Boston, Massachusetts 02118-2526 USA
[email protected]
ISBN 978-1-4419-6323-9 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-6324-6 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-6324-6 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2010929616 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Preface to the Second Edition
In its first edition, the Physical Basis of Biochemistry endeavored to connect the foundation principles of biology to the essential processes in physics and chemistry. The core purpose of the new edition remains that described in the first edition: • 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. I have three primary objectives in this volume: one, to provide a unifying picture of the interdisciplinary threads from which the tapestry of biophysical studies are woven; two, to provide an insight into the power of the modeling approach t