Chapter 3
Methods for Physical Properties
of Biomembranes and Cells
Abstract Various methods underlying progress of life science which include biophysics of cell and biomembrane are introduced in this chapter. Measurements of
bulk system such as X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and optical
spectroscopy are changed to observation of specific region by use of imaging
technique. Bio-imaging system such as X-ray CT and MRI is developed by need
of medical diagnosis.
3.1 Application of Physical Method to Study of Structure
and Physical Properties of Biomembranes and Cells
Living organism is essentially a system of regulated chemical reactions. The chemical reactions are catalyzed by enzymes (proteins) which are synthesized according
to genetic information on DNA. For study of these chemical reactions, chemical
approach is suitable and useful. On the other hand, physical approach contributes
study of biological phenomena and functions related to structure and physical
property. Development of life science is correlated with development of technology
as well as other fields of natural science. Molecular recognition such as substrateenzyme, antigen-antibody and ligand-receptor is important mechanism by structural
complementarity in biological system. Elucidation of structure of biomolecules and
assembly of them is important to understand biological functions. Structure of DNA
strand was obtained by X-ray diffraction, and it greatly affected development of life
science. Essence of heredity was elucidated at molecular level and molecular biology
progressed. Novel methods of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic
force microscopy (ATM) enable direct observation of molecules. Living organism is
also a system of materials and energy as well as system of the regulated chemical
reactions. Biomembrane as a key component of cell is an assembly of lipids and
Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this chapter (doi:10.1007/978-4-43156841-4_3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
© 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_3
29
Methods for Physical Properties
of Biomembranes and Cells
Abstract Various methods underlying progress of life science which include biophysics of cell and biomembrane are introduced in this chapter. Measurements of
bulk system such as X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and optical
spectroscopy are changed to observation of specific region by use of imaging
technique. Bio-imaging system such as X-ray CT and MRI is developed by need
of medical diagnosis.
3.1 Application of Physical Method to Study of Structure
and Physical Properties of Biomembranes and Cells
Living organism is essentially a system of regulated chemical reactions. The chemical reactions are catalyzed by enzymes (proteins) which are synthesized according
to genetic information on DNA. For study of these chemical reactions, chemical
approach is suitable and useful. On the other hand, physical approach contributes
study of biological phenomena and functions related to structure and physical
property. Development of life science is correlated with development of technology
as well as other fields of natural science. Molecular recognition such as substrateenzyme, antigen-antibody and ligand-receptor is important mechanism by structural
complementarity in biological system. Elucidation of structure of biomolecules and
assembly of them is important to understand biological functions. Structure of DNA
strand was obtained by X-ray diffraction, and it greatly affected development of life
science. Essence of heredity was elucidated at molecular level and molecular biology
progressed. Novel methods of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic
force microscopy (ATM) enable direct observation of molecules. Living organism is
also a system of materials and energy as well as system of the regulated chemical
reactions. Biomembrane as a key component of cell is an assembly of lipids and
Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this chapter (doi:10.1007/978-4-43156841-4_3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
© 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_3
29