Chapter 2

Biophysical Topics

PRIYOSETYOKO (24030120420007)

Faculty of Science and Mathematics

DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY
Overview

 Gain an understanding of the broad scope of biophysics.

 Acquire some vocabulary of biophysics, learning the most commonly used terms and how
they apply to the branches of biophysics.
 Learn to classify the topics of biophysics into the three major divisions of
 Molecular and subcellular biophysics.
 Physiological and anatomical biophysics.
 Environmental biophysics.
 Learn how the topic areas of biophysics are interrelated.
Molecular and Subcellular Biophysics
The Structure and Conformation of Biological Molecules

Figure 2-1 •
The four levels of structure in biological molecules are
illustrated here using the example of a protein, but
apply as well to other molecules and subcellular
complexes.
Structure Function Relationships

 To determine the structure and shape of biomolecules is determining which parts of a

molecule are involved in its biological function
 To determine how structural changes or changes affect the biological structure
 When one particular part of a molecule or complex is involved in the execution of its
function the active site of the molecule
Conformational Transitions

 change in shape Even though conformation  structure or shape

 In the context of biophysics it almost always means shape, especially the three-dimensional
arrangement of atoms in a molecule (secondary, tertiary, and quaternary).
Ligand Binding and Intermolecular Binding

 Biophysicists study ligand binding and look for other intermolecular bindings to measure
and understand
 Force and energy involved in binding
 Interaction between multiple binding sites
 How changes to affect binding
 Relationship between binding and conformational migration
 Relationship between binding and biological function
 Competition between different ligands that can bind the same molecule
 The incidence of binding and factors affecting the degree of binding
Figure 2.2
Diffusion and Molecular Transport

 Studying how molecules move inside the cell and how molecules move from outside the
cell into the cell and vice versa.
 Diffusion is the process of dispersal of molecules, as a result of random motion.
Membrane Biophysics
DNA and Nucleic Acid Biophysics


 BIOPHYSICAL PROTEINS
 BIOENERGITICS
 THERMODYNAMICS
 STATISTICAL MECHANICS
 KINETICS
 MOLECULAR MACHINE
 ALOSTERIC
Physiological and Anatomical Biophysics

 Biomechanics
 The motion of animals
 The mechanics of various systems within the body
 Mechanics at a cellular and subcellular level
 Electrophysiology
 Sensory biophysics
Environmental Biophysics

 Heat and Temperature Environmental Biophysics

 Resource and Mass Exchange Environmental Biophysics
 Radiation Biophysics
 Environmental Bioengineering
Summary of Biophysical Topics Categorized by Size of Subject
 • Molecular and Subcellular Biophysics
 The Structure and Conformation of Biological Molecules
 Structure Function Relationships
 Conformational Transitions
 Ligand Binding and Intermolecular Binding
 Diffusion and Molecular Transport
 Membrane Biophysics
 DNA and Nucleic Acid Biophysics
 Protein Biophysics
 Energy Flow and Bioenergetics
 Thermodynamics
 Statistical Mechanics
 Kinetics
 Molecular Machines
 Allosterics
 • Physiological and Anatomical Biophysics
 Biomechanics
 Electrophysiology
 Sensory Biophysics
 Environmental Biophysics
 Heat and Temperature Environmental Biophysics
 Resource and Mass Exchange Environmental Biophysics
 Radiation Biophysics
 Environmental Bioengineering
THANKS