PHYSICS

190
CONTENT
Chapter 1. What This Book Is About 7
1.1. Physics and Biophysics 7
1.2. Objectives of the Course 7
Chapter 2. Analysis of Observed Data 8
2.1. Approximation of Data 8
2.1.1. Rules for Dealing with Significant Numbers 8
2.1.2. The Precision of the Measurement during
Multiplication or Division 9
2.1.3. The Precision of the Measurement during
Addition or Subtraction 9
2.1.4. The Precision of the Measurement during
Raising to a Power or Extracting a Root 9
2.2. Theory of Errors 10
2.2.1. Types of Errors 10
2.2.2. Errors in Direct Measurements 11
2.2.3. Errors in Indirect Measurements 12
Chapter 3. Mechanics 16
3.1. Kinematics 16
3.1.1. Average Velocity 16
3.1.2. Instantaneous Velocity 17
3.1.3. Average Acceleration 18
3.2. Dynamics 19
3.2.1. Mechanical Properties of Biological Objects 19
3.2.2. Newton's Laws 20
3.2.3. Newton's Universal Law of Gravity 21
3.2.4. Elasticity - Hooke's Law 21
3.2.5. Work and Energy 24
3.3. Circular Motion 25
3.3.1. Kinematics of Rotational Motion 25
3.3.2. Dynamics of Rotational Motion 26
3.3.3. Torque 26
3.3.4. The Lever 28
Chapter 4. Biomechanics 30
4.1. Isometry and Allometry....... 30
4.2. Muscular Contraction 31
Chapter 5. Mechanobiology 33
5.1. Mechanoreception 33
5.1.1. Tactile Sensitivity · · · 33
5.1.2. The Vestibular System 33
5.1.3. Proprioception 35
5.1.4. System of Mechanoreception in a Fish 36
5.1.5. The Insect's System of Mechanoreception 37
5.2. Effect of Mechanical Factors on Living Organisms .., 37
5.2.1. Gravitation and Living Organisms 37
5.2.2. Effect of Mechanical Factors on Plants 38
5.2.3. Plant Response to Wind
39
Chapter 6. Fluid And Gas Mechanics
6.1. Pressure
6.1.1. Definition of Pressure
6.1.2. Variations of Pressure with Depth
6.1.3. Physiological Effects of Increased
on Human Organism
6.1.4. Physiological Effects of Pressure
on the Diving Animals
6.1.5. Variation of Pressure with Height
Pressure
42
42
42
42
43
44
45
6.1.6. Physiological Effects of Decreased Air Pressure
on Human Organism 46
6.1. 7. Physiological Effects of Altitude
on The Animals 47
6.1.8. Effects of Altitude on the Plants 48
6.1.9. Osmotic Pressure 48
6.1.10. Osmotic Phenomena in Plants 49
6.2. Fluid Dynamics 50
6.2.1. The Continuity Equation 50
6.2.2. Bernoulli's Equation 51
6.2.3. Medical Application of Bernoulli's Equation .. 51
6.2.4. Viscosity 53
6.2.5. Stokes' Law · · 54
6.2.6. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate · 54
6.2.7. Poiseuille's Law of Flow · ·..· 54
6.2.8. Sedimentation 55
6.2.9. Physical Principles of Ultracentrifugation 55
6.3. Surface Tension 56
6.3.1. Mechanisms of Surface Tension 56
6.3.2. Surface Tension and the Lung 57
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