Biophysical Chemistry

"Biophysical Chemistry is an outstanding book that delivers both fundamental and complex biophysical principles, along with an excellent overview of the current biophysical research areas, in a manner that makes it accessible for mathematically and non-mathematically inclined readers."
Journal of Chemical Biology, February 2009

This text presents physical chemistry through the use of biological and biochemical topics, examples and applications to biochemistry. It lays out the necessary calculus in a step by step fashion for students who are less mathematically inclined, leading them through fundamental concepts, such as a quantum mechanical description of the hydrogen atom rather than simply stating outcomes. Techniques are presented with an emphasis on learning by analyzing real data.

• Presents physical chemistry through the use of biological and biochemical topics, examples and applications to biochemistry
• Lays out the necessary calculus in a step by step fashion for students who are less mathematically inclined
• Presents techniques with an emphasis on learning by analyzing real data
• Features qualitative and quantitative problems at the end of each chapter
• All art available for download online and on CD-ROM

Physikalische Chemie, aus dem Blickwinkel der biologischen und biochemischen Anwendung gesehen: Der Autor dieses Bandes führt die Studenten Schritt für Schritt an die Grundkonzepte heran -- auch dann, wenn sie keine tiefergehenden mathematischen Vorkenntnisse vorweisen können. Ergebnisse werden nicht einfach in den Raum gestellt, sondern anschaulich hergeleitet (etwa die quantenmechanische Beschreibung des Wasserstoffatoms). Alle Methoden können durch die Analyse realen Datenmaterials geübt werden.

* Erklärt die Physikalische Chemie aus dem Blickwinkel der biologischen und biochemischen Anwendung.

* Führt Studenten schrittweise an mathematische Methoden heran, ohne besondere Fähigkeiten vorauszusetzen.

* Schwerpunkt auf dem Üben mit realem Datenmaterial.

* Mit Verständnisfragen und Übungsaufgaben an den Kapitelenden.

* Abbildungen online zum Download und auf CD-ROM.

Preface

1. Basic Thermodynamic and Biochemical Concepts

Part 1: Thermodynamics and Kinetics

2. First Law of Thermodynamics

3. Second Law of Thermodynamics

4. Phase Diagrams, Mixtures, and Chemical Potential

5. Equilibria and Reactions Involving Protons

6. Oxidation/Reduction Reactions and Bioenergetics

7. Kinetics and Enzymes

8. The Boltzmann Distribution and Statistical Thermodynamics

Part 2: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy

9. Quantum Theory: Introduction and Principles

10. Particle in a Box and Tunneling

11. Vibrational Motion and Infrared Spectroscopy

12. Atomic Structure: Hydrogen Atom and Multi-Electron Atoms

13. Chemical Bonds and Protein Interactions

14. Electronic Transitions and Optical Spectroscopy

15. X-Ray Diffraction and Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure

16. Magnetic Resonance

Part 3: Understanding Biological Systems using Physical Chemistry

17. Signal Transduction

18. Membrane Potentials, Transporters, and Channels

19. Molecular Imaging

20. Photosynthesis

References and Further Reading

Problems

Answers to Problems

Index

"Biophysical Chemistry is an outstanding book that delivers both fundamental and complex biophysical principles, along with an excellent overview of the current biophysical research areas, in a manner that makes it accessible for mathematically and non-mathematically inclined readers." (Journal of Chemical Biology, February 2009)

"This is strongly recommended as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students with backgrounds in the physical and biological sciences. It will also prove extremely useful to university and high school educators, medical doctors, and researchers who want to go beyond a surface treatment of biological phenomenology to its roots in physics and chemistry." (Doody's, February, 2009)

"Biophysical Chemistry ist ein herausragendes Lehrbuch, das Grundprinzipien genauso ausführlich erklärt wie komplexe biophysikalische Zusammenhänge; auch aktuelle Forschungsgebiete kommen nicht zu kurz. Verständlich auch für Leser, die keine besonderen mathematischen Fähigkeiten mitbringen." (Journal of Chemical Biology, Februar 2009) James Allen is a professor at Arizona State University. He has won numerous honors including several study sections with the National Institutes for Health and was selected for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Biophysical Chemistry presents physical chemistry through the use of biological and biochemical topics, examples, and applications to biochemistry. It presents a rigorous, up-to-date treatment of the material without presuming a strong prior knowledge of math theory. Necessary calculus models are laid out in a step-by-step fashion for students less confident in their math abilities. The format of the text allows teachers ample flexibility in deciding which derivations to present in class. Students are guided through an in-depth understanding of fundamental concepts – such as a quantum-mechanical description of the hydrogen atom – and techniques are presented with an emphasis on learning through analysis of real data. Cases are drawn from timely research areas in biochemistry using an integrated approach to problem solving. Every chapter features important recent advances in biochemistry, an examination of current research problems, math and derivation boxes to guide students, and examples of both numerical and concept-based problems. Artwork from the book is available for download by instructors at www.blackwellpublishing.com/allenbiophysical