Biophysics DeMYSTiFied

Book excerpt: Learn BIOPHYSICS without expending a lot of ENERGY! Interested in unraveling the physics of living things? Here's your starting point. Biophysics Demystified is the fast and easy way to understand this fascinating topic. Written in a step-by-step format, this practical guide begins with an introduction to the science of biophysics, covering biophysical techniques and applications. Next, you'll learn the principles of physics, biology, and chemistry required to understand biophysics, including free energy, entropy, and statistical mechanics. Biomolecules and the forces that influence their structure and conformation are also covered, as are protein, nucleic acid, and membrane biophysics. Detailed examples and concise explanations make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce key concepts. It's a no-brainer! You'll get: Molecular, subcellular, physiological, anatomical, and environmental biophysics The laws of thermodynamics as they apply to biophysical systems Forces affecting conformation in biological molecules The composition and structure of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids The fluid mosaic model Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Biophysics Demystified makes this interdisciplinary subject easy to master.