Physics of biological processes

The course will address various biological processes from a physical perspective.                  

Special attention will be given to the comparison of different energy scales in biology, with the introduction of key concepts of thermodynamics in relation to molecular biology. Different passive and active processes will be treated with examples relevant to biology and health. The proposed lab concerns the observation of Brownian motion and will be linked to the HAV102P course (for its optics concepts).

Compsibilities covered by the EU:

• ability to approach a biological problem from a quantitative point of view;
• To be able to manipulate in relation to problems of biological interest the 1st principle of thermodynamics, the conservation of energy;
• Know how to identify systems in equilibrium, or explain when the equilibrium approximation is valid in biological processes;
• Explain the role of thermal fluctuations in equilibrium states;
• Understand an energy landscape, and explain how active processes (e.g. controlled by enzymes) can change it.

UE HAV102P: Physical approaches to life:

            - Physical quantities, dimensions and units

            - Forces, force balance, viscous force, mobilization pressure of a fluid

            - microscope, diffraction and its impact on the resolution of a microscope.

Recommended prerequisites*:

• Bachelor's level in mathematics.
• Logarithm and exponential functions.
• Study of a real function of a real variable.

CC: two continuous assessment tests, preferably in class or, failing that, online (Moodle Quizzes), one halfway through the course, the other at the end of the semester.

List of Chapters in the module :

- Introduction: a quantitative approach to biology. Ex : Laws of scales in biology.

• Energy and 1st principle of thermodynamics.
• Molecular interactions, energy minimization, concept of equilibrium.
• Passive processes. From the random walk to Fick's law.
• Introduction to entropy and Gibbs free energy.
• Examples of active processes; energy landscape of biochemical reactions (enzymes)
• Phase changes;

Hourly volumes* :

            CM : 12h

            TD : 15h

            TP : 3h

            Terrain: