Physics of biological processes

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

Special attention will be given to comparing different energy scales in biology, with an introduction to key concepts in thermodynamics as they relate to molecular biology. Various passive and active processes will be discussed with relevant examples in biology and health. The proposed practical work involves observing Brownian motion and will link to the HAV102P course (for its concepts of optics).

Compskills targeted by the EU:

• ability to approach a biological problem from a quantitative perspective;
• Being able to manipulate the first law of thermodynamics, the conservation of energy, in relation to problems of biological interest;
• 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 modify it.

UE HAV102P: Physical Approaches to Life Sciences:

            - Physical quantities, dimensions, and units

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

            - microscope, diffraction, and its impact on microscope resolution.

Recommended prerequisites:

• High school level in mathematics.
• Logarithmic and exponential functions.
• Study of a real function of a real variable.

CC: two continuous assessment tests, preferably in person or, failing that, remotely (Moodle quiz), one halfway through the semester and the other at the end of the semester.

List of Chapter Titles in the Module:

- Introduction: a quantitative approach to biology. Example: Scale laws in biology.

• Energy and the first law of thermodynamics.
• Molecular interactions, energy minimization, equilibrium concept.
• Passive processes. From 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: 12 p.m.

            Tutorial: 3 p.m.

            Practical work: 3 hours

            Land: