Molecular and Cellular Biophysics

Advanced biophysics textbook focusing on how physical concepts can be applied to biological problems.

Meyer B. Jackson (Author)

9780521624701, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 January 2006

528 pages, 206 b/w illus. 10 tables
24.6 x 19.1 x 3 cm, 0.91 kg

'… would be a valuable addition to the library of any research lab at the physical end of biochemistry. … The language used in the book is extremely clear, and a mathematical approach is combined with clear links to real biochemistry …' Chemistry world

Molecular and Cellular Biophysics provides advanced undergraduate and graduate students with a foundation in the basic concepts of biophysics. Students who have taken physical chemistry and calculus courses will find this book an accessible and valuable aid in learning how these concepts can be used in biological research. The text provides a rigorous treatment of the fundamental theories in biophysics and illustrates their application with examples. Conformational transitions of proteins are studied first using thermodynamics, and subsequently with kinetics. Allosteric theory is developed as the synthesis of conformational transitions and association reactions. Basic ideas of thermodynamics and kinetics are applied to topics such as protein folding, enzyme catalysis and ion channel permeation. These concepts are then used as the building blocks in a treatment of membrane excitability. Through these examples, students will gain an understanding of the general importance and broad applicability of biophysical principles to biological problems.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Global transitions in proteins
2. Molecular forces in biological structures
3. Conformations of macromolecules
4. Molecular associations
5. Allosteric interactions
6. Diffusion and Brownian motion
7. Fundamental rate processes
8. Association kinetics
9. Multi-state kinetics
10. Enzyme catalysis
11. Ions and counter-ions
12. Fluctuations
13. Ion permeation and membrane potential
14. Ion permeation and channel structure
15. Cable theory
16. Action potentials
References
Appendix 1. Expansions and series
Appendix 2. Matrix algebra
Appendix 3. Fourier analysis
Appendix 4. Gaussian integrals
Appendix 5. Hyperbolic functions
Appendix 6. Polar and spherical coordinates.

Subject Areas: Cellular biology [cytology PSF], Molecular biology [PSD], Biophysics [PHVN]