Biophysical chemistry

Biophysical chemistry is an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical chemistry to study biological systems. This field covers all scales of biological organization, from molecules to organisms to ecosystems. Biophysical chemists employ various techniques used in physical chemistry to probe the structure of biological systems. These techniques include spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance and electron microscopy.

History

The field of biophysical chemistry originated in the 19th century with the work of physicists and chemists who were interested in the physical properties of biological materials. The term "biophysical chemistry" was first used in the early 20th century to describe this new field of study.

Principles

Biophysical chemistry is based on the principles of physical chemistry, which include thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, kinetics, and statistical mechanics. These principles are used to understand the behavior of biological systems at the molecular level.

Techniques

Biophysical chemists use a variety of techniques to study biological systems. These include:

• Spectroscopy: This technique is used to study the interaction of light with matter. It can provide information about the structure and dynamics of molecules.
• X-ray diffraction: This technique is used to determine the three-dimensional structure of crystals, including those of large biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.
• Nuclear magnetic resonance: This technique is used to study the structure and dynamics of molecules in solution. It is particularly useful for studying large biological molecules.
• Electron microscopy: This technique is used to visualize the structure of biological materials at high resolution.

Applications

Biophysical chemistry has many applications in the field of biology, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. For example, it is used to design drugs, understand disease mechanisms, and develop new materials for biological applications.

See also

• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Physical chemistry