Entropy For Biologists

Appendix 1-5 and index

Entropy for Biologists: An Introduction to Thermodynamics provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics for biologists. It begins with discussions of basic principles such as temperature, energy, kinetic theory, total energy, the second law of thermodynamics, and entropy. It then reviews conceptual tools from probability theory, combinatorial analysis, and information theory, which are essential to understanding elementary statistical mechanics. The remaining chapters present formulations for the relation between statistical mechanics and thermodynamics; the relationship between entropy and information; free-energy functions; and thermal energy. Measurements of temperature, energy, and thermochemical quantities are covered. The final chapter discusses the biological implications of the relation between entropy and information. This book is intended for 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.

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.

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.

"By combining recent advances in the physical sciences with some of the novel ideas, techniques, and data of modern biology, this book attempts to achieve a new and different kind of evolutionary synthesis. I found it to be challenging, fascinating, infuriating, and provocative, but certainly not dull."-James H, Brown, University of New Mexico"This book is unquestionably mandatory reading not only for every living biologist but for generations of biologists to come."-Jack P. Hailman, Animal Behaviour, review of the first edition"An important contribution to modern evolutionary thinking. It fortifies the place of Evolutionary Theory among the other well-established natural laws."-R.Gessink, TAXON

In this text, Sanford, a retired Cornell professor, shows that the "Primary Axiom"--the foundational evolutionary premise that life is merely the result of mutations and natural selection--is false. He strongly refutes the Darwinian concept that man is just the result of a random and pointless natural process.

Essays of humorous comments about issues of science, technology, society, philosophy, and the arts.