Biology in Physics: Is Life Matter? (Polymers, Interfaces and Biomaterials) [Hardcover]

Konstantin Bogdanov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 1999 | Series: Polymers, Interfaces and Biomaterials

Biology in Physics is a radical new book which bridges the gap between biology and physics. The aim is to promote an interdisciplinary exchange of scientific information and ideas, in order to stimulate cooperation in research. The scope of this volume explores both the concepts and techniques of biophysics and illustrates the latest advances in our understanding of many of the specific mechanisms that are used by living organisms. This volume represents a special effort to bring together the information that would allow a nonbiologically oriented physicist to appreciate the important role that physics plays in life sciences.

Key Features
* An introduction to biophysics for non-specialist
* Covers all the important topices in modern biophysics
* Takes account of the latest information emerging from biophysical projects
* Reports on novel therapeutic strategies
* Presents an advanced-level overview of mechanisms that regulate a variety of processes in organisms ranging from bacterial to whales

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gives a relatively simple, nonsense introduction to topics of interest in general biology to which introductory physics can be applied. Topics include properties of nerve and bone, of the vascular system, kidneys and lungs, and of eyes and ears . . . manipulation of cells with electric fields and navigation by electric of magnetic fields. For most topics, the early history is mentioned, and reference is made to recent work."
--Howard C. Berg, Harvard University, PHYSICS TODAY, September 2000.

From the Publisher

Biology in Physics: Is Life Matter? is a radical new book which bridges the gap between biology and physics. The aim is to promote an interdisciplinary exchange of scientific information and ideas, in order to stimulate cooperation in research. The scope of this volume explores the concepts and techniques of biophysics, and illustrates the latest advances in our understanding of many of the specific mechanisms that are used by living organisms. This volume represents a special effort to bring together the information that would allow a nonbiologically oriented physicist to appreciate the important role that physics plays in life sciences.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 237 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (October 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0121098400
• ISBN-13: 978-0121098407
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,828,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biology in Physics, August 1, 2000

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PT Miami "PT MIAMI" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biology in Physics: Is Life Matter? (Polymers, Interfaces and Biomaterials) (Hardcover)

Bogdanov has written about biological processes from the viewpoint of a physicist. The ten chapters may be read in any order to obtain an intelligent introduction or review for any of the topics, which deal with the electrical nature of life, the functioning of muscles, respiration, circulation, and so on... The presentations are clear, light-hearted, even funny on occasion -- a great and unusual accomplishment for a science text that does not talk down to its readers. The book is well illustrated and clearly written, although the text occasionally becomes a bit convoluted. This may be the result of its translation from Russian. The author provided a very thorough and up-to-date set of references for skeptics as well as for those who wish to dig deeper.