Physics in Biology and Medicine

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. This is a concise introductory paperback that provides practical techniques for applying knowledge of physics to the study of living systems and presents material in a straightforward manner requiring very little background in physics or biology. Applicable courses are Biophysics and Applied Physics.

This new edition discusses biological systems that can be analyzed quantitatively, and how advances in the life sciences have been aided by the knowledge of physical or engineering analysis techniques. The volume 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. Topics range from the role of diffusion in the functioning of cells to the effect of surface tension on the growth of plants in soil and the conduction of impulses along the nervous system. Each section contains problems that explore and expand some of the concepts. The text includes many figures, examples and illustrative problems and appendices which provide convenient access to the most important concepts of mechanics, electricity, and optics in the body.

Physics in Biology and Medicine will be a valuable resource for students and professors of physics, biology, and medicine, as well as for applied health workers.

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Physics in Biology and Medicine

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. This is a concise introductory paperback that provides practical techniques for applying knowledge of physics to the study of living systems and presents material in a straightforward manner requiring very little background in physics or biology. Applicable courses are Biophysics and Applied Physics.

This new edition discusses biological systems that can be analyzed quantitatively, and how advances in the life sciences have been aided by the knowledge of physical or engineering analysis techniques. The volume 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. Topics range from the role of diffusion in the functioning of cells to the effect of surface tension on the growth of plants in soil and the conduction of impulses along the nervous system. Each section contains problems that explore and expand some of the concepts. The text includes many figures, examples and illustrative problems and appendices which provide convenient access to the most important concepts of mechanics, electricity, and optics in the body.

Physics in Biology and Medicine will be a valuable resource for students and professors of physics, biology, and medicine, as well as for applied health workers.

69.95 In Stock
Physics in Biology and Medicine

Physics in Biology and Medicine

by Paul Davidovits
Physics in Biology and Medicine

Physics in Biology and Medicine

by Paul Davidovits

Paperback(Older Edition)

$69.95 
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Overview

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. This is a concise introductory paperback that provides practical techniques for applying knowledge of physics to the study of living systems and presents material in a straightforward manner requiring very little background in physics or biology. Applicable courses are Biophysics and Applied Physics.

This new edition discusses biological systems that can be analyzed quantitatively, and how advances in the life sciences have been aided by the knowledge of physical or engineering analysis techniques. The volume 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. Topics range from the role of diffusion in the functioning of cells to the effect of surface tension on the growth of plants in soil and the conduction of impulses along the nervous system. Each section contains problems that explore and expand some of the concepts. The text includes many figures, examples and illustrative problems and appendices which provide convenient access to the most important concepts of mechanics, electricity, and optics in the body.

Physics in Biology and Medicine will be a valuable resource for students and professors of physics, biology, and medicine, as well as for applied health workers.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780123865137
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Publication date: 12/05/2012
Series: Complementary Science
Edition description: Older Edition
Pages: 352
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

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.

Table of Contents

Prefacexiii
1Static Forces1
1.1Equilibrium and Stability2
1.2Equilibrium Considerations for the Human Body3
1.3Stability of the Human Body under the Action of an External Force4
1.4Skeletal Muscles7
1.5Levers10
1.6The Elbow11
1.7The Hip15
1.7.1Limping17
1.8The Back17
1.9Standing Tip-Toe on One Foot19
1.10Dynamic Aspects of Posture19
Exercises21
2Friction23
2.1Standing at an Incline25
2.2Friction at the Hip Joint26
2.3Spine Fin of a Catfish27
Exercises28
3Translational Motion30
3.1Vertical Jump31
3.2Effect of Gravity on the Vertical Jump34
3.3Running High Jump35
3.4Range of a Projectile36
3.5Standing Broad Jump37
3.6Running Broad Jump38
3.7Motion through Air39
3.8Energy Consumed in Physical Activity41
Exercises42
4Angular Motion44
4.1Forces on a Curved Path44
4.2A Runner on a Curved Track46
4.3Pendulum47
4.4Walking48
4.5Physical Pendulum49
4.6Speed of Walking and Running50
4.7Energy Expended in Running52
Exercises54
5Elasticity and Strength of Materials56
5.1Longitudinal Stretch and Compression56
5.2A Spring57
5.3Bone Fracture: Energy Considerations59
5.4Impulsive Forces61
5.5Fracture Due to a Fall: Impulsive Force Considerations62
5.6Airbags: Inflating Collision Protection Devices63
5.7Whiplash Injury64
5.8Falling from Great Height65
Exercises65
6Insect Flight67
6.1Hovering Flight67
6.2Insect Wing Muscles69
6.3Power Required for Hovering70
6.4Kinetic Energy of Wings in Flight72
6.5Elasticity of Wings73
Exercises74
7Fluids76
7.1Force and Pressure in a Fluid76
7.2Pascal's Principle77
7.3Hydrostatic Skeleton78
7.4Archimedes' Principle81
7.5Power Required to Remain Afloat81
7.6Buoyancy of Fish82
7.7Surface Tension83
7.8Soil Water86
7.9Insect Locomotion on Water87
7.10Contraction of Muscles89
Exercises90
8The Motion of Fluids92
8.1Bernoulli's Equation92
8.2Viscosity and Poiseuille's Law94
8.3Turbulent Flow95
8.4Circulation of the Blood96
8.5Blood Pressure98
8.6Control of Blood Flow100
8.7Energetics of Blood Flow100
8.8Turbulence in the Blood101
8.9Arteriosclerosis and Blood Flow101
8.10Power Produced by the Heart103
8.11Measurement of Blood Pressure103
Exercises104
9Heat and Kinetic Theory106
9.1Heat and Hotness106
9.2Kinetic Theory of Matter106
9.3Definitions109
9.3.1Unit of Heat109
9.3.2Specific Heat109
9.3.3Latent Heats110
9.4Transfer of Heat110
9.4.1Conduction110
9.4.2Convection111
9.4.3Radiation112
9.4.4Diffusion113
9.5Transport of Molecules by Diffusion116
9.6Diffusion through Membranes118
9.7The Respiratory System119
9.8Diffusion and Contact Lenses122
Exercises122
10Thermodynamics124
10.1First Law of Thermodynamics124
10.2Second Law of Thermodynamics126
10.3Difference between Heat and Other Forms of Energy127
10.4Thermodynamics of Living Systems129
10.5Information and the Second Law132
Exercises133
11Heat and Life134
11.1Energy Requirements of People135
11.2Energy from Food136
11.3Regulation of Body Temperature138
11.4Control of Skin Temperature140
11.5Convection140
11.6Radiation142
11.7Radiative Heating by the Sun142
11.8Evaporation144
11.9Resistance to Cold145
11.10Heat and Soil147
Exercises148
12Waves and Sound151
12.1Properties of Sound151
12.2Some Properties of Waves154
12.2.1Reflection and Refraction154
12.2.2Interference155
12.2.3Diffraction157
12.3Hearing and the Ear157
12.3.1The Performance of the Ear160
12.3.2Frequency and Pitch161
12.3.3Intensity and Loudness162
12.4Bats and Echoes164
12.5Sounds Produced by Animals165
12.6Clinical Uses of Sound165
12.7Ultrasonic Waves166
Exercises167
13Electricity168
13.1The Nervous System168
13.1.1The Neuron169
13.1.2Electrical Potentials in the Axon171
13.1.3The Action Potential172
13.1.4The Axon as an Electric Cable174
13.1.5Propagation of the Action Potential175
13.1.6An Analysis of the Axon Circuit178
13.1.7Synaptic Transmission181
13.1.8Action Potentials in Muscles182
13.1.9Surface Potentials182
13.2Electricity in Plants183
13.3Electricity in the Bone184
13.4Electric Fish185
Exercises186
14Electrical Technology188
14.1Electrical Technology in Biological Research188
14.2Diagnostic Equipment190
14.2.1The Electrocardiograph190
14.2.2The Electroencephalograph191
14.3Physiological Effects of Electricity192
14.4Control Systems194
14.5Feedback196
Exercises198
15Optics200
15.1Vision200
15.2Nature of Light201
15.3Structure of the Eye201
15.4Accommodation202
15.5Eye and the Camera203
15.5.1Aperture and Depth of Field204
15.6Lens System of the Eye205
15.7Reduced Eye206
15.8Retina208
15.9Resolving Power of the Eye209
15.10Threshold of Vision211
15.11Vision and the Nervous System212
15.12Defects in Vision212
15.13Lens for Myopia213
15.14Lens for Presbyopia and Hyperopia214
15.15Extension of Vision215
15.15.1Telescope215
15.15.2Microscope216
15.15.3Confocal Microscopy217
15.15.4Fiber Optics220
Exercises222
16Atomic and Nuclear Physics224
16.1The Atom224
16.2Spectroscopy229
16.3Quantum Mechanics231
16.4Electron Microscope232
16.5X-Rays234
16.6X-Ray Computerized Tomography235
16.7The Nucleus237
16.8Radiation Therapy238
16.9Food Preservation by Radiation239
16.10Isotopic Tracers240
16.11Magnetic Resonance Imaging241
16.11.1Nuclear Magnetic Resonance242
16.11.2Imaging with NMR246
16.12Atomic Theory and Life248
Exercises251
Appendix ABasic Concepts in Mechanics252
Appendix BReview of Electricity266
Appendix CReview of Optics272
Appendix DBibliography281
Appendix EAnswers to Numerical Exercises289
Index293

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Fully-revised and updated text on the application of physics principles in the life sciences, specifically medicine, physiology, biology, nursing and physical therapy.

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