E-Book Overview
Biophysical Chemistry covers the physical chemistry of biological macromolecules and the experimental techniques used to study them. Topics covered include: an introduction to biological molecules; spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and hydrodynamics of macromolecules; a "bluffer's guide" to molecular thermodynamics; biomolecular kinetics; chromatography and electrophoresis; and single-molecule methods. The easily digestible, pragmatic approach captures the reader with the fascinating challenges the subject poses for theoretical and experimental scientists. This book will be ideal for early undergraduates studying chemical or physical sciences and will act as a basis for more advanced study. Students in other areas of biological sciences will appreciate the less intimidating approach to physical chemistry as demonstrated here. Ideal for the needs of undergraduate chemistry students, Tutorial Chemistry Texts is a major series consisting of short, single topic or modular texts concentrating on the fundamental areas of chemistry taught in undergraduate science courses. Each book provides a concise account of the basic principles underlying a given subject, embodying an independent-learning philosophy and including worked examples.
E-Book Content
TUTORIAL CHEM ISTRY TEXTS
16 Biophysical Chemistry A L A N C O O P E R Glasgow University
RSeC
ROYAL SoClEpl OF CHEMISTRY
Cover images tc) Murray Robertsonjvisual elements 1998-99, taken from the 109 Visual Elements Periodic Table, available at www.chemsoc.org/viselements
ISBN 0-85404-480-9 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
4 . ) The Royal Society of Chemistry 2004 All rights rescvwcl Apurt from any fair deuling fiw the purposes qf research or privatc study, or criticism or reviews us perniitted under the trrnzs q f the U K Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, this publication r n q riot be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in urij'jorni or hip any nieuns, ~citlioutthe prior permisxion in w)ritingqf The Royul Society of Chemistry,or in the case of reprographic reproduction only in accordance with the terms oftlie licences issued bj' the Copyright Licmsing Agency in the U K , or in uccorcicmce with the terms of the licences issued by the uppropriate Reproduction Rights Organization outside the U K . Enquiries conccrning reproduc*tionoutside the ternis stated here should be sent to The Royul Society qf Clieniistrj- at the crddress printed on this puge. Published by The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 OWF, UK Registered Charity No. 207890 For further information see our web site at www.rsc.org Typeset in Great Britain by Alden Bookset, Northampton Printed and bound by Italy by Rotolito Lombarda
Preface
Biology is chemistry on an impressive scale. It is a product of evolution, the outcome of countless random experiments, resulting in the exquisite complexity of the biological world of which we are a part. Setting aside any philosophical considerations, living organisms - including ourselves - are simply nothing more than wet, floppy bags of chemistry: complicated mixtures of molecules interacting in a multitude of ways. All this takes place mainly in water, a solvent that most chemists try to avoid because of its complexities. However, we can learn from this. In the course of evolution, biology has had the opportunity to perform vastly more experiments than we can ever contemplate in the laboratory. The resulting chemistry is fascinating in its own right, and we can quite rightly study it for its intellectual satisfaction alone. We can also, if we choose, apply what we learn to other areas of chemistry and to its applications in biomedical and environmental areas. This book is about the physical chemistry of biological macromolec