Chapter 8
Global Environment and Biophysics
Abstract Living organisms were born on the earth and have made evolution
through long history of the earth, and recorded genetic information corresponding
to each global environment. And corresponding gene is switched on for adaptation to
their environment. Temperature change is major factor of environment. And metabolic change for membrane lipid synthesis alters physical property of membrane
fluidity through change of phase transition temperature of lipid bilayer.
8.1 Living Organisms on the Earth
Living organisms on the earth were born in closely related with existence of the third
planet in the solar system. Materials and some energy sources on the earth were used
for creation of the living organisms. Interaction between the global environment and
living organisms is important factor in long history of evolution, and existence of
living organisms have changed global environment. Oxygen content, 21% in the
present atmosphere is result of global evolution changed by living organisms, in
particular, by plants. Nowadays, social activities of human beings raise concentration of carbon dioxide up to 400 ppm, and induce global warming and climate
change. Averaged concentration of carbon dioxide was 278 ppm in 1750 (before the
industrial revolution). And some abnormal changes are found in ecological system.
Living organisms on the earth have adapted to mild change of the environment and
the adaptation mechanisms to survive in the changed environment have been stored
in genetic information on DNA during their evolution. In diurnal temperature
variations and annual temperature variation in particular decrease of temperature,
living organisms such as amphibian cannot control body temperature. And low body
temperature results in lowering rate of chemical reactions in the body and induces
slow movement. On the other hand, homeotherms maintain body temperature
constant in variable external temperature to keep proper rate of chemical reactions
© Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature 2018
K. Ohki, H. Miyata, Physical Principles of Biomembranes and Cells,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56841-4_8
159
Global Environment and Biophysics
Abstract Living organisms were born on the earth and have made evolution
through long history of the earth, and recorded genetic information corresponding
to each global environment. And corresponding gene is switched on for adaptation to
their environment. Temperature change is major factor of environment. And metabolic change for membrane lipid synthesis alters physical property of membrane
fluidity through change of phase transition temperature of lipid bilayer.
8.1 Living Organisms on the Earth
Living organisms on the earth were born in closely related with existence of the third
planet in the solar system. Materials and some energy sources on the earth were used
for creation of the living organisms. Interaction between the global environment and
living organisms is important factor in long history of evolution, and existence of
living organisms have changed global environment. Oxygen content, 21% in the
present atmosphere is result of global evolution changed by living organisms, in
particular, by plants. Nowadays, social activities of human beings raise concentration of carbon dioxide up to 400 ppm, and induce global warming and climate
change. Averaged concentration of carbon dioxide was 278 ppm in 1750 (before the
industrial revolution). And some abnormal changes are found in ecological system.
Living organisms on the earth have adapted to mild change of the environment and
the adaptation mechanisms to survive in the changed environment have been stored
in genetic information on DNA during their evolution. In diurnal temperature
variations and annual temperature variation in particular decrease of temperature,
living organisms such as amphibian cannot control body temperature. And low body
temperature results in lowering rate of chemical reactions in the body and induces
slow movement. On the other hand, homeotherms maintain body temperature
constant in variable external temperature to keep proper rate of chemical reactions
© Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature 2018
K. Ohki, H. Miyata, Physical Principles of Biomembranes and Cells,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56841-4_8
159