Physical approaches to living organisms

Introductions to simple concepts in physics (optics, mechanics) applied to problems of biological interest.

Understand and know how to apply the following concepts in relation to simple problems of biological interest: 

- dimensions and units of the main physical quantities (check the consistency of an expression in terms of dimensions).

- uncertainty of a measurement, propagation of uncertainties in simple cases (addition/subtraction of quantities, power law).

- refractive index, laws of refraction, thin lenses, microscope, diffraction and its impact on the resolution of a microscope observation.

- capture of light energy, fluorescence.

- force, balance of forces, viscous force, fluid mobilization pressure, osmotic pressure.

- diffusion in the presence of a concentration gradient (Fick's law).

High school level mathematics (algebra, solving simple^first-degreeequations, familiarity with trigonometric functions, power laws)

Recommended prerequisites: Basic knowledge of physics (geometric optics, mechanics)

Continuous assessment. Two assessments, approximately halfway through and at the end of the course, in the form of a quiz on Moodle.

• Units, orders of magnitude, dimensions, uncertainties.
• Geometric optics, diffraction & resolution (application: microscopy).
• Light energy capture, fluorescence.
• Simple concepts of force and viscosity in relation to locomotion (example: bacterial swimming).
• Basic concepts of force, pressure, and viscosity in relation to blood circulation.
• Fick's law (macroscopic approach).
• Osmotic pressure, osmosis (turgor/plasmolysis).

Hourly volumes:

            CM: 10.5 hours (7 x 1.5 hours)

            Tutorials: 16.5 hours (11 x 1.5 hours)

            TP: 0

            Field: 0