Entropy for Biologists: An Introduction to Thermodynamics is an introductory book for people in the life sciences who wish to master the concepts of thermal physics without being forced to a degree and rate of symbol manipulation which is foreign to their patterns of thought. The book opens with a chapter on temperature, followed by separate chapters that discuss the concepts of energy, kinetic theory, total energy, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, and probability and information theory. Subsequent chapters deal with statistical mechanics and its relation to thermodynamics, free-energy functions, applications of the Gibbs free energy and the Gibbs chemical potential, and measurement in thermal physics. The book is primarily directed at those graduate and advanced undergraduate students of biology and biochemistry who wish to develop a sense of confidence about their understanding of the thermal physics which will be useful in pursuing their work. It may also prove useful to professionals who wish to bolster their knowledge in this area.

Computer simulation has become the main engine of development in statistical mechanics. In structural biology, computer simulation constitutes the main theoretical tool for structure determination of proteins and for calculation of the free energy of binding, which are important in drug design. Entropy and Free Energy in Structural Biology leads the reader to the simulation technology in a systematic way. The book, which is structured as a course, consists of four parts: Part I is a short course on probability theory emphasizing (1) the distinction between the notions of experimental probability, probability space, and the experimental probability on a computer, and (2) elaborating on the mathematical structure of product spaces. These concepts are essential for solving probability problems and devising simulation methods, in particular for calculating the entropy. Part II starts with a short review of classical thermodynamics from which a non-traditional derivation of statistical mechanics is devised. Theoretical aspects of statistical mechanics are reviewed extensively. Part III covers several topics in non-equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics close to equilibrium, such as Onsager relations, the two Fick's laws, and the Langevin and master equations. The Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics procedures are discussed as well. Part IV presents advanced simulation methods for polymers and protein systems, including techniques for conformational search and for calculating the potential of mean force and the chemical potential. Thermodynamic integration, methods for calculating the absolute entropy, and methodologies for calculating the absolute free energy of binding are evaluated. Enhanced by a number of solved problems and examples, this volume will be a valuable resource to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry biophysics, pharmacology, and computational biology.

The concept of entropy in thermodynamics is a complex one, though it is fundamental in understanding physics, the workings of the mind, and biology. Entropy is the measure of the quality of energy, and it can also refer to the turn from order to disorder or randomness in isolated systems. In open systems, such as biology, entropy is formulated in terms of production and energy flow. This book establishes a novel view of complex biological systems and the earth using this concept of entropy, encompassing the interdisciplinary area of biology, ecology and physics. This book considers the development over time of a range of biologically complex systems such as plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems, describing them in terms of the second law of thermodynamics, entropy. With its broad coverage of biological systems, this book will be useful for students of environmental science as well as students in biology and physics. Includes discussion of multiple complex systems including the earth and biological systems within it. Suitable for those with little physics background who wish to learn how the laws of physics apply to ecological systems. Clearly organized by system, making information easy to access.

This second edition in just two years offers a considerably revised second chapter, in which information behavior replaces analogies to purely physical systems, as well as practical applications of the authors' theory. Attention is also given to a hierarchical theory of ecosystem behavior, taking note of constraints on local ecosystem members resul.

Enormous advances in science led to compartmentalization of knowledge into specializations and super specializations so much so that a specialist in one area refuses to look into the other area. Interdisciplinary research is mainly in the applied areas. On the other hand some scientists are enthusiastically exploring less traveled paths. Plant neurobiology and Plant intelligence are the areas that are now being rediscovered. Consciousness is yet another field that is making its way into science from spiritual philosophies. How many of us know that the subject of Human Thermodynamics is being explored though by a small group as of now? The area of Epigenetics is expanding. What caused Human evolution? Can selected random [generally explained as accidental] causes result into the formation of a highly ordered / programmed systems as complex as Human beings in the absence of any drive? Is not natural selection a control/filtering mechanism? What is the meaning of “evolutionary forces” or “selection pressure”? Are the concepts of Statistical Process Control, that deal with the random/nonrandom variations, applicable to the process of evolution by natural selection? What causes the evolution of organized societies? Is poverty less, civil human society viable? These are some of the questions that demand interaction among and across the disciplines, which is often delimited by the boundaries and semantics of disciplines. Humanity, after reaping the harvest of Integrated Technologies, is ushering into an era of Converging Technologies which would necessitate communication bridges between Science and Philosophy, Biology, Physics, Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Engineering and Informatics and other diverse areas of knowledge; and that too with escalated openness. In order to encourage such transdisciplinary interactions, forums were launched at www.network.nature.com and http://knol.google.com/k/arvind-kumar-purohit/ and after post publication open review of tangible ideas the works have been published as Transcience Transactions.

Foundations of Bioenergetics provides an introduction to the physical foundations of bioenergetics and the methods of applying these constructs to biological problems. It combines parts of thermal physics, biochemistry, ecology, and cellular and organismic biology into a single coherent work. Much of the material in this volume comes from ""Entropy for Biologists,"" an introductory thermodynamics book aimed particularly at life scientists. Some of the topics originally appeared in the monograph ""Energy Flow in Biology."" The current volume expands on that material with respect to biological applications and attempts to bridge the gap between physics and biology. The book explains basic concepts such as energy, temperature, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, information theory, and statistical mechanics. It discusses the relations between thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, free-energy functions, radiant energy, the free energy of cells and tissue, chemical kinetics, and cyclic flows. It examines the relationships between energy flows and biological processes; applications of the concepts of Gibbs free energy, chemical potential, and activity; and measurements of temperature, energy, and thermochemical quantities. The book also includes chapters that deal with irreversible dynamics, irreversible theory, and osmotic flow.

Enrico Di Cera, a rising star in biophysics, has organized a superb group of authors to write substantial chapters covering the most exciting and central issues relating to the bioenergetic aspects of proteins, nucleic acids, and their interactions. Topics covered in this book are protein and nucleic acid folding and stability, enzyme-substrate interactions, prediction of the affinity of complexes, electrostatics, and non-equilibrium aspects of protein function. The breadth of the topics covered in this book illustrates the growing importance of thermodynamic approaches in the study of biological phenomena. The book should be of wide interest to biophysicists, biochemists, and structural biologists.

One of the most exciting and controversial areas of scientific research in recent years has been the application of the principles of nonequilibrium thermodynamics to the problems of the physical evolution of the universe, the origins of life, the structure and succession of ecological systems, and biological evolution.