This textbook is for all students of the natural sciences who want to understand and apply physical concepts to better describe fundamental cellular processes. For example, the phenomena of diffusion as well as the mechanics of macromolecules and of the cell membrane are treated and illustrated with many examples. Furthermore, the formation of fibrous proteins of the cytoskeleton as well as enzyme kinetics and the functioning of molecular motors are discussed.
This compact book builds on a two-semester lecture entitled Biophysics in the Cell, given at the Technical University of Munich. To emphasize different approaches and thus make them more comprehensible, important formulas are often derived in different ways. "By the way" sections, highlighting historical or current backgrounds and the scientific zeitgeist of the respective research, enrich the material in an entertaining way.
Attractive, clear and modern illustrations give the book a special charm in addition to the technically up-to-date andcomprehensibly presented content.
