What is Biophysics: Definition and 153 Discussions
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies approaches and methods traditionally used in physics to study biological phenomena. Biophysics covers all scales of biological organization, from molecular to organismic and populations. Biophysical research shares significant overlap with biochemistry, molecular biology, physical chemistry, physiology, nanotechnology, bioengineering, computational biology, biomechanics, developmental biology and systems biology.
The term biophysics was originally introduced by Karl Pearson in 1892. The term biophysics is also regularly used in academia to indicate the study of the physical quantities (e.g. electric current, temperature, stress, entropy) in biological systems. Other biological sciences also perform research on the biophysical properties of living organisms including molecular biology, cell biology, chemical biology, and biochemistry.
As the title says I want to go into Medical Physics. I have one more course requirement to finish my undergrad at the end of the spring semester. None of the courses are offered so I will have to do a independent study to replace one of these classes: Biophysics, Analytical Mechanics, or E&M II...
I am beginning graduate school preparations, I am looking for an online database of physics graduate programs that would list things like number of faculty in specific fields, number of graduate students admitted each year, etc...
I have seen a book like this, specifically for physics...
Hi All,
I am hoping to create an equation which I can use to describe the thermodynamic properties of microhabitats used by Chuckwalla lizards. Basically,the habitat in question is a crevice that is shaped like a rectangular prism within an igneous rock. I am trying to develop an equation that...
How relevant is "biophysics" in biology?
I'm making a decision between studying biochemistry at school A, or biophysics at school B. School A is bigger and more well known, especially for its life sciences, while only school B offers me the option of studying biophysics. This is undergraduate...
Homework Statement
Say that the logarithmic intensity of a dolphin's sound is 50dB as measured as 1m away. What would be the ampltude of the pressure wave at 20m from the dolphin?
My Question/Problem: How are you supposed to factor in the 20m away?
Homework Equations
Po=...
Homework Statement
N particles diffuse in one dimension in the potential U(x)=ax2, with a > 0. For example, such a potential could be provided by a line-shaped optical tweezer trap. The particles have the diffusion constant D.
Find the steady-state concentration, C0 (x).
Homework...
Greetings all,
I have a problem where I am asked to estimate the number of DNA polymerase in a eukaryotic cell. The sub-question prior to this asked me to find what fraction of the total DNA of a fly was shown in a micrograph in my book.
How do I go about estimating this? Is it 2 for each...
Hi there I'm a biochemistry major third year because I'm interested in biology but wanted to have a firm grounding in the physical sciences. Admittingly, the grounding is rather superficial with biochemistry which is why I am trying to supplement with as many physical science and math classes as...
My school does not have a "biophysics" major and I wanted to major in biophysics as that is a field I want to head into. With only about 8 more classes to complete a major in physics (from PSEO to college courses, I took more physics classes than not), should I just tack that on with my biology...
The second question from the attachment. Since I couldn't attend the lectures, I have difficulties in solving the problem.. If you give some hint, or guidance to me, i will be happy..
Hi all,
I am a current physics undergrad student. I recently got a position on a research team doing several different biophysics research projects. Since I am just an undergrad, I get to start out doing basic low-level work like running image analysis algorithms. I am getting a little...
Im currently a senior at a large state university (LSU), and have been studying economics(major) and math(minor) and have a 4.0 so far. Recently i decided i did not want to pursue economics, and became much more drawn to the pure sciences. I decided to stay in school and study physics and bump...
I have been given an assignment to find out about the applications of modern biophysics in tissue engineering !
I just need a little background on how biophysics and tissue engineering are inter-related (if they are).
I just had an idea that they might be something about some tissue...
Hi everyone! Short-time lurker here, and I have a fairly important question that I'd like some input on. I'll keep it simple, but I do have a lot of related questions so I may branch out as the thread goes on.
I am considering getting a physics phd with a focus in biophysics. In particular...
Okay, so I am an undergraduate major studying Biophysics with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. I am looking to do an MD/ Ph.D program in graduate school. My main goals are to go to med school and become a Pediatric Cardiologist, and go into Cardiovascular Research. Is Biophysics going to help...
Now I'm undergrad student, majoring in Physics.
But I think I prefer to be a physical chemist and want to be a university lecturer in department of chemistry.
My research field is molecular biophysics and I need to have a basic knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry, but now I'm...
My situation:
I was originally an Economics major, math minor. However, I have lost interest in econ and have become very interested in physics and math. I begin my senior year of undergrad this fall, however I am staying in school longer and beginning the physics curriculum as well this...
Here's my background:
Completing an engineering M.S. this year. I've done a lot of programming and building systems of ode/pde, neural networks, finite & discrete element models, hydraulic networks.
I like coding and computer models very much. My problem is the research topics are...
In my university (Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) we have http://www.kuleuven.be/onderwijs/aanbod/opleidingen/E/SC_51017023.htm" with a few options: theoretical, nuclear, solid state, soft matter.
I always wanted to do nuclear physics (and theoretical, but my math background isn't...
Hey,
I'm currently taking a _nap_ for a year and starting uni next year. I've decided to go towards physics and if I go further, biophysics would be the one. which I would pursue. I know that biochemistry and other things related to biology are really lucrative fields but is biophysics such...
Would it be possible to enter a master degree program in biophysics with a b.s. degree in physics, or do I need to have some kind of educational biology background?
I'm my junior year in physics at UW, and was wondering what would be the transition from B.S. in physics into M.S in Biophysics...
I'm going to take a course on Biophysics next semester but there's no textbook. I heard it's because the professor is really good.
Here's the description:
Introduction to the structure, properties, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes. In depth study of the...
Hi
I hope I'm posting this in the right section. I am trying to find some experiments that would be appropriate for an introductory biophysics course for some second year students. Any links/pointers in the right direction would be great, although I'm specifically looking for enzyme/molecular...
Hi guys. I'm a junior Phyics/Math major at University of Iowa. Last summer, I did an REU in biophysics and fell in love. I'm looking into graduate schools in this area, specifically top schools like University of Chicago, MIT, Harvard, etc. There's a plethora of sites showing admission...
Question
Based on my background and interests, what graduate schools and programs would be best for me as a PhD-seeking biophysics student intending to ultimately study learning and memory?
Background
I am a undergraduate in the USA that is preparing to receive four B.S. degrees by Summer...
Let me know if this is the wrong forum.
I'm a neurobiology student and I've recently come across more information about biophysics, but from what I've read, it's a little difficult to understand fully how physical principles are applied in the field.
For example, there's structural...
I'm asked to derive two equations related to ion channel kinetics.
First, some background. These are two-state ion channels (open-closed) with the form shown below:
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2039/testsg5.gif
The first equation represents the open probability of the channel...
Hi all,
I'm a biophysics major looking to attend graduate school in biophysics some time in the future. I was wondering up to what level of math should I be taking, especially if I am interested in the computational side of the field?
Thanks for your input,
CharmedQuark
My GPA isn't all that great, it's a 2.507. I have another semester left to bring it up some, but it won't be much. But I still will like to take what I have left and bring as much into my favor as possible. My plan is to do good in my GRE and PGRE and apply for graduate school at my current...
Homework Statement
Prove that the translation friction coefficient for a sphere (protein) with a molecular weight of 25 kiloDaltons is approximately 60% the translation friction coefficient for a 100 kiloDalton protein sphere.
Homework Equations
Stoke's Law: f = 6πηr
where f =...
I'm applying to grad schools this semester. I think I want to go into biophysics and do neuroscience research. Does anyone have recommendations for schools that are good in these areas?
I am a grade 12 physics student and I am looking into potential topics/concepts for an upcoming physics 'fair-style' project. I have a stong interest in biology, especially zoology, and would like to come up with a project that incorporates both disciplines of science. The assignment is to...
Hello everyone,
I'm supposed to start my PhD in Biophysics. and I just need help and suggestions about what are the hot topics and issues in Biophysics.
I don't want to do something, and end up after 10 years alone in my desk and am the only one in the world doing it.
So, can anyone...
HI...all of you...
I want to know what kind of field is biophysics...i mean, what's there in it?
also, i am an undergraduate physics student...so do i have any career, or scope, in the field??and of what sort...and is it okay for me leave mainstream physics and enter the field?
(by...
Hey everyone,
I was interested in knowing what the application if it is large kinematics plays in Biophysics? Particularly or actually mostly Molecular Biophysics. Is it used largely by Biophysicists or are more advanced topics and concepts the prevalent thought in this field?
I primarily...
Hello,
I'm interested in part time master programs in biophysics. I'm working full time so I will be only able to go to evening classes. Are there any respectable programs in biophysics that allow students to enroll on a part-time basis? I'm looking for MS programs in NY/NJ..
I guess it's...
This may sound like a weird question but I was wondering if I could get some kind of comparison between these two fields. What is the similarity, what is the difference, how do they supplement each other. Hopefully someone can help me out on the forums as I find both fields interesting currently...
[b]1. The dipole moment of a peptide bond is 3.7 Debye in water. Assuming that a hydrogen bond is essentially a dipole-dipole interaction, estimate the energy of a hydrogen bond between two peptides in water and in the interior of a protein (neglect the competing interactions with the solvent)...
Hey guys,
I need some help on this problem from my biophysics homework on the nature of acoustics and sound. Readers beware...lol
Homework Statement
If all the sound energy of a 5MHz US continuous emitter with an intensity of one watt per square centimeter is deposited into an isolated...
Hi all,
I have been having some problems with this question from my Biophysics homework. The topic is fluid dynamics...
Homework Statement
Find the difference between the blood pressure in a pilot's head and his feet, if he sits in a plane which goes into a dive following a vertical...
Are there any biophysicists/grad students in biophysics around that could offer me some advice? (Or if you have any friends/acquaintances in the field).
After mulling through this thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=163072
I am now feeling on less firm ground with...
I am currently attending community college in San Diego. I have TAG (Transfer Agreement - http://www.sdcity.edu/transfer/programs/tag/TAG%20GE.pdf), which is a contract stating that I will be transferring into UC-San Diego (UCSD), once I have completed the necessary pre-requisites. I have...
Ok here's the scoop. I'm fresh out of high school and starting my first year at college. Before I get too deep into one particular area and get stuck I was hoping I could get some help here and some useful advice from you guys. Bottomline: I love math and I love physics and as of right now I...
I have recently been bouncing around and looking at biophysics programs for graduate school, and also noticing that I need to take some non-math/physics electives for my major. All while doing this, I have started reading some biophysics textbooks. Now here is my question:
Should I take...
First year physics majors here are required to take one year of another science. I chose chemistry, but now I wish I had chosen biology. Say, if I got to grad school and had an interest in biophysics would I be sunk because I haven't taken a single bio course since senior year, high school...
It's that time of year again... I'm getting ready to take the subject test in physics this weekend, and of course I don't expect to do very well.
My question is this: what are some safety schools to which I should apply?
I'm currently pursuing a master's degree, my thesis topic is in...
I am currently looking into membrane biophysics as an area of research, and I will start doing some undergraduate research with one of my professors in his biophysic's labs. But I am curious how is the theory end of Biophysics looking, particularly for graduate programs. I have bumped into a...
Some Background first.
basically I am a 24 yr old with a AAS in autobody repair who decided to go after something i should have done right out of high school had i been bright enough. So I am back in school at a local community colledge in a program designed to transfer right to the u of mn...
Hello
I am working on pretest questions, and I am completely lost. I've read the textbook, however the textbook we use, isn't the greatest. I am stuck ona few questions, any guidance on how to approach these questions and formulas to use would be appreciated
1) 235U decays to 207Pb by a...