Physics in Biology and Medicine (Complementary Science) - Softcover

Davidovits, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0123865131 ISBN 13: 9780123865137

Publisher: Academic Press, 2012

Synopsis

Physics in Biology and Medicine, Fourth Edition explores concepts in physics as they apply to living systems. The discussion is organized into 18 chapters encompassing thermodynamics, electricity, optics, sound, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Each chapter provides a brief review of the background physics before focusing on the applications of physics to biology and medicine. The book describes biological systems and presents calculations of the forces exerted by muscles, as well as the maximum impact that can be sustained by a body without injury, the height from which a person can jump, the effect of an animals size on the speed at which it can run, and the circulation of blood in the body. Using the theory of fluids, the role of diffusion in the functioning of cells and the effect of surface tension on the growth of plants in soil are also analyzed. Using the principles of electricity, the conduction of impulses along the nervous system is investigated. Each section contains problems that explore and expand some of the concepts, and some of the techniques of physics and engineering are applied to the study of living systems. Moreover, the use of lasers in medical diagnostics and the applications of nanotechnology in biology and medicine are considered. This book will be a valuable resource for students and professors of physics, biology, and medicine, as well as for applied health workers.

About this title

About the Author

Professor of Chemistry at Boston College, was co-awarded the prestigious R.W. Wood prize from the Optical Society of America for his seminal work in optics. His contribution was foundational in the field of confocal microscopy, which allows engineers and biologists to produce optical sections through 3D objects such as semiconductor circuits, living tissues, or a single cell. He has published more than 150 papers in physical chemistry and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Association for Advancement of Science. The second edition of Physics in Biology and Medicine received the Alpha Sigma Nu Book Award in the Discipline of the Natural Sciences.

From the Back Cover

Paul Davidovits, Professor of Chemistry at Boston College, was co-awarded the prestigious R.W. Wood prize from the Optical Society of America for his seminal work in optics. His contribution was foundational in the field of confocal microscopy, which allows engineers and biologists to produce optical sections through 3D objects such as semiconductor circuits, living tissues, or a single cell. Dr. Davidovits earned his doctorate, masters, and undergraduate degrees from Columbia University. Prior to his appointment at Boston College, he was a faculty member at Yale University. He has published more than 150 papers in physical chemistry and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Association for Advancement of Science. The second edition of Physics in Biology and Medicine received the Alpha Sigma Nu Book Award in the Discipline of the Natural Sciences.

A PERFECT FIT TO COURSES IN PHYSICS AND BIOPHYSICS

Physics in Biology and Medicine, Fourth Edition covers topics in physics as they apply to the life sciences, specifically medicine, physiology, nursing, and other applied health fields. The text provides clear descriptions of medical devices and techniques such as MRI, CAT scan, and cochlear implant.

Physics in Biology and Medicine, Fourth Edition is a concise introductory paperback that surveys and relates basic physics to living systems. It discusses biological systems that can be analyzed quantitatively, and shows how advances in the life sciences have been aided by the knowledge of physical and engineering analysis techniques.

• Provides practical techniques for applying knowledge of physics to the study of living systems
• Presents material in a straightforward manner requiring very little background in physics or biology
• Includes many figures, examples, illustrative problems, and appendices which provide convenient access to the most important concepts of mechanics, electricity, and optics
• An Instructor Solutions Manual is available at textbooks.elsevier.com
• Updated to include current research topics, including nanoscience, basal metabolism, laser imaging, and atomic force microscopy

Edition details

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0123865131
• ISBN 13: 9780123865137
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 348