Course detail

Biophysical Chemistry

FCH-DA_BFCHAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course deals with the application of physical chemistry to biological and biochemical processes and problems. It contains the following parts, which the student chooses according to the topic of the dissertation.
Biothermodynamics: energetics of biological processes, Gibbs energy and its significance for the description of biochemical processes, connections with enthalpy and entropy, application to the fate of ATP in the organism, basics of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Kinetics of biological processes: enzyme reactions, denaturation and renaturation of proteins, pharmacokinetics. Non-covalent interactions in biological systems: types of interactions, spatial arrangement of biopolymers, their stability and denaturation, interactions with ligands. Biological membranes: amphiphilic biomolecules, structure and properties of membranes, transport across membranes. Water and hydration: structure and properties of water, water as a biological environment, hydration of biopolymers. Biological polyelectrolytes: dissociation, acid-base properties, effect of pH.

Language of instruction

English

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

There are no prerequisites

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Study results are verified by a colloquium (Study and Examination Rules of BUT, Art. 34), which means a discussion on the subject matter, connected with the elaboration of a written work dealing with the assigned subject matter in the range of about 20 text pages; the debate lasts about 30 minutes.

Aims

Not applicable.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Atkins, P.; de Paula, J. Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Elearning

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme DPAP_BCH Doctoral 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme DKAP_BCH Doctoral 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Elearning