HAH704P Physics of Biological Systems (2 ECTS)

Presentation

Description:
This TU an introduction to the physics of biological systems. Topics covered in this course include: 

– Formation of biomolecules: Interactions between molecules; Gibbs energy; Biological polymers: amino acids, peptides, nucleic acids; Proteins: primary, secondary, and tertiary structure; Association of colloids and vesicles.  

– Biophysics of biological membranes: Biological molecules in solution, chemical potential; Electric double layer; Structure of biological membranes; Physics of transport through membranes: passive and active transport; Energy barrier model; Membrane potentials: Donnan, Nerst, Goldmann; Molecular description of action potential propagation. 

– Fluid flow: Fluid transport; Fick's law, Hagen–Poiseuille law; Laminar and turbulent flow of biological fluids.

Objectives:
This course aims to train students to apply the laws of physics to biology in order to: understand the physical interactions underlying the formation of biomolecules; calculate the Gibbs energy accompanying the conformational change of a protein; understand the physics of transport across biological membranes; calculate the resting potential of membranes; understand the physics of biological fluid flow. 

Hourly volumes:

CM: 21 hours
TD: 0 hours
TP: 0 hours
Field: 0 hours

Required prerequisites:

L3 science or health.

Recommended prerequisites:

Nothing to report

More information

Knowledge assessment:

Written terminal exam 

Contacts

Responsible: S. Cronenberger, Cs. Gergely-L2C, UM
Administrative contact(s): Claudie Fabry