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1.
BIOPHYSICS is listed as Physics 435, 4 credit hours (3 lecture + 1 laboratory).
Text: hand-outs and copies of sections of different books. Class meets
in TCCW 236, TR 12:30-1:45 pm, lab meets in the same room, initially,
W 4-6pm.
2. Prerequisites: Physics 231+332 or 201+202 or 250, 260+270, and Biology
120/121, and Math 126, or permission of the instructor.
3. An introduction to the major fields of Biophysics (as defined by the
Biophysical Society) in quantitative terms and with emphasis on physical
and spectroscopic techniques applied in biomedical, biophysical and biochemical
research.
4. Course Outline:
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A.
Structure of biological macromolecules (classes of biological macromolecules;
functions of these molecules; techniques for studying structure of
them: Diffusion, Centrifugation, Osmosis, X-ray diffraction, NMR).
B. Cell membranes (Comparison of animal and plant cells; Common features
of cell membranes; Fluid Mosaic Model; Spectroscopic Techniques for
studying membranes {for electrical aspects of membranes see topic
E, below}).
C. Muscle and related intracellular polymers (Mechanisms of muscular
contraction; sliding-filament model; actin and myosin; mitotic spindle;
cytoseleton).
D. Bioenergetics (Introduction; Principles of equilibrium thermodynamics;
Free energy and the equilibrium constant; open and closed systems;
ATP and ADP; application to muscle contraction; the science of losing
weight).
E. Neurobiology and electrical properties of membranes (Nernst potential;
electrical model of a membrane; voltage-gated channels; action-potentials;
neurotoxins; neuron; synaps; neurotransmitter; organization of a system
of neurons).
F. Kinetics (Introduction to enzymes; free energy of activation; catalysis;
Michaelis-Menten model; Examples).
G. Photobiology (Photosynthesis; Monochromator; Photomultier; Effects
of radiation; Ozon; Action spectrum). |
5. The objective
of this course is to instruct life science students and physics majors
in Biophysics. The underlying physical reasons for biological phenomena
are stressed. The student is expected to appreciate the fact that cells
function according to the laws of physics, and to understand recent applications
of physics to bio-medical problems.
6. Laboratory: depending on availability of equipment and biological samples:
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centrifugation and lysis of blood cells and/or
- absorption spectroscopy, principles of tomography and/or
- X-ray diffraction and/or
- fluorescence spectroscopy and/or
- NMR |
7. Homework.
Problems will be assigned frequently
8. Grading. Three tests will be given. Each test has an closed-book part
(essay questions) and an open-book part (problems). The average test grade
represents 60% of the final grade, homework is 20%, lab-reports 10%, and
the final 10%.
9. Office Hours: TR 9:30-11am-noon at TCCW 227. You may call me at 745-6205
or 615-859-7064 or e-mail me at wieb.vandermeer@wku.edu
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