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1 Introduction: The Nature of Biophysics
1.5 Focus of This Study
This text is written for those who already have some background in physics (such
as an introductory college course) and wish to further explore how to apply physical
laws and principles to the understanding of life systems and to instruments used
in biology, medicine, and diagnostics. Biology and pre-medical-doctor students,
pre-medical-engineering students, medical technologists, and other science majors
might benefit from the practical aspect of such knowledge while taking part in the
enjoyment that accompanies such an exploration. Medical researchers need to know
such things if they are to make better instruments and cures, and doctors should be
expected to know the important workings, capabilities, limitations, and dangers of
the devices they use for diagnostics and treatment of the ill.
1.6 Organization of Study
In this study, we will identify particular phenomena in nature which arise from basic
physical interactions. For each natural effect, we will attempt to give the following,
when applicable:
• Defining Concepts;
• Nature of the Phenomenon;
• Relation to other Phenomena;
• Generation, Detection, and Measurement;
• Bioreceptors, Biogeneration, and Functional Organs;
• Uses in Research, Diagnosis, and Treatment;
• Dosimetry and Safety.
The topics treated are taken from each of the principal areas of study in physics
which developed in the historical order: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism,
Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Quantum Theory. This sequence has
the advantage that the focus of study starts predominantly macroscopically, with the
familiar, and ending predominantly microscopically, i.e. with the less familiar to us
humans.
For ready reference while doing chapter problems, some relevant mathematical,
physical, biophysical constants, notation, and conversions are given in Tables
Tables J.1, J.2, J.3, J.4, and J.5. Additionally, data for nerves, hearing, balance, taste,
smell, vision, feeling, and touch are collected in Tables J.6, J.7, J.8, J.9, J.10, J.11,
J.12, and J.13.
1 Introduction: The Nature of Biophysics
1.5 Focus of This Study
This text is written for those who already have some background in physics (such
as an introductory college course) and wish to further explore how to apply physical
laws and principles to the understanding of life systems and to instruments used
in biology, medicine, and diagnostics. Biology and pre-medical-doctor students,
pre-medical-engineering students, medical technologists, and other science majors
might benefit from the practical aspect of such knowledge while taking part in the
enjoyment that accompanies such an exploration. Medical researchers need to know
such things if they are to make better instruments and cures, and doctors should be
expected to know the important workings, capabilities, limitations, and dangers of
the devices they use for diagnostics and treatment of the ill.
1.6 Organization of Study
In this study, we will identify particular phenomena in nature which arise from basic
physical interactions. For each natural effect, we will attempt to give the following,
when applicable:
• Defining Concepts;
• Nature of the Phenomenon;
• Relation to other Phenomena;
• Generation, Detection, and Measurement;
• Bioreceptors, Biogeneration, and Functional Organs;
• Uses in Research, Diagnosis, and Treatment;
• Dosimetry and Safety.
The topics treated are taken from each of the principal areas of study in physics
which developed in the historical order: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism,
Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Quantum Theory. This sequence has
the advantage that the focus of study starts predominantly macroscopically, with the
familiar, and ending predominantly microscopically, i.e. with the less familiar to us
humans.
For ready reference while doing chapter problems, some relevant mathematical,
physical, biophysical constants, notation, and conversions are given in Tables
Tables J.1, J.2, J.3, J.4, and J.5. Additionally, data for nerves, hearing, balance, taste,
smell, vision, feeling, and touch are collected in Tables J.6, J.7, J.8, J.9, J.10, J.11,
J.12, and J.13.