The Physics of Living Systems

Fabrizio Cleri

Springer

2016

637 páginas

21h 14m

ISBN-13: 9783319306452

Inglês

In this book, physics in its many aspects (thermodynamics, mechanics, electricity, fluid dynamics) is the guiding light of a fascinating journey through biological systems, providing ideas, examples and stimulating reflections for undergraduate students in physics or chemistry or life sciences, as well as for anyone interested in the frontiers between physics and biology. This book aims not to introduce much new physics for young students, but rather use their recently acquired academic knowledge of basic physics, to start seeing the physics behind the biology. As an undergraduate textbook in introductory biophysics, it contains the necessary background and tools, including exercises and appendices, to form a progressive course. In this case, the chapters can be used in the order proposed, possibly split between two semesters. The book is also a pleasant read for researchers in the life sciences who wish to revive or go deeper into physics concepts, glanced in their early years of scientific training. The less physics-oriented reader might skip the first chapter, as well as all the "grey boxes" containing the more formal developments, and create his/her own á-la-carte menu of chapters.