Biological Thermodynamics

A refreshing, clearly-written new edition bringing students up-to-date with energy flow in biology.

Donald T. Haynie (Author)

9780521711340, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 February 2008

440 pages, 125 b/w illus. 25 tables 250 exercises
24.4 x 18.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.936 kg

'… a very readable and informed introduction to energy transformation at several levels of biological organization: molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms … a good introduction to the new field of biological thermodynamics and represents an important contribution to the literature.' Lloyd Demetrius, Harvard University and Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin

This inter-disciplinary guide to the thermodynamics of living organisms has been thoroughly revised and updated to provide a uniquely integrated overview of the subject. Retaining its highly readable style, it will serve as an introduction to the study of energy transformation in the life sciences and particularly as an accessible means for biology, biochemistry and bioengineering undergraduate students to acquaint themselves with the physical dimension of their subject. The emphasis throughout the text is on understanding basic concepts and developing problem-solving skills. The mathematical difficulty increases gradually by chapter, but no calculus is required. Topics covered include energy and its transformation, the First Law of Thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy, statistical thermodynamics, binding equilibria and reaction kinetics. Each chapter comprises numerous illustrative examples taken from different areas of biochemistry, as well as a broad range of exercises and references for further study.

1. Energy transformation
2. The First Law of Thermodynamics
3. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
4. Gibbs free energy - theory
5. Gibbs free energy - applications
6. Statistical thermodynamics
7. Binding equilibria
8. Reaction kinetics
9. The frontier of biological thermodynamics
10. Appendices
Glossary
Index of names
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Engineering thermodynamics [TGMB], Biochemical engineering [TC], Biochemistry [PSB], Biophysics [PHVN]