(Physics of living things)

INTRODUCTION

 Biophysics - Branch of science which deals

with the physical principles involved in
biology
 Emerged as a scientific discipline after the
successful use of biophysical tools in
biological study
 Contributes significantly for the development
of the life sciences
SCOPE OF BIOPHYSICS
 Structure of Protein
 Structure of DNA
 Nerve impulse
 Biological membranes
 Muscle contractions
 Sensory communication
 Bioenergetics
 Photobiology
 Labelling techniques
 Biomolecules estimations etc
SPECTROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY

The study of methods of

producing and analyzing spectra
using spectroscopes, spectrometers,
spectrographs and
spectrophotometers.
Spectroscopy

 Spectroscopy pertains to the dispersion of an

object's light into its component colors (i.e.
energies).
 By performing this dissection and analysis of
an object's light, scientists can infer the
physical properties of that object (such as
temperature, mass, luminosity and
composition).
Light microscope
Light microscope
 Visible light is focused through a specimen by a condenser lens, then is
passed through two more lenses placed at both ends of a light-tight tube.
 The latter two lenses each magnify the image.
 light from an incandescent source is aimed toward a lens beneath the stage
called the condenser, through the specimen, through an objective lens, and
to the eye through a second magnifying lens, the ocular or eyepiece.
 Some microscopes have a built-in illuminator, while others use a mirror to
reflect light from an external source. The condenser is used to focus light on
the specimen through an opening in the stage. After passing through the
specimen, the light is displayed to the eye with an apparent field that is
much larger than the area illuminated.
 The magnification of the image is simply the objective lens magnification
(usually stamped on the lens body) times the ocular magnification.
LIGHT MICROSCOPE
Electron Microscope
Electron Microscope

 Scanning and transmission electron

microscopes (SEM and TEM) use particles
with a negative charge, as a source for image
formation electrons (In contrast to light
microscopes (LM) these electrons are
produced by a Field emission source).
 The sample (object) is scanned in a kind of
zig-zag pattern by an electron beam.
Electron Microscope

 The EM is used to visualize very small

topographic details on the surface or entire or
fractioned objects.
 Researchers in biology, chemistry and physics
apply this technique to observe structures that
may be as small as 1 nanometer (= billion of a
millimeter).
 The SEM may be employed for example to study
cell organelles and DNA material, synthetical
polymeres, and coatings on microchips.
Liver Cirrhosis – Electron
microscope
Leukemia- Electron microscope
NMR SPECTROSCOPY
NMR
NMR
NMR
 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, is an
analytical chemistry technique used for determining the
content and purity of a sample as well as its molecular
structure. For example, NMR can quantitatively analyze
mixtures containing known compounds.
 For unknown compounds, NMR can either be used to
match against spectral libraries or to infer the basic
structure directly.
 Once the basic structure is known, NMR can be used to
determine molecular conformation in solution as well as
studying physical properties at the molecular level such
as conformational exchange, phase changes, solubility,
and diffusion.
NMR - Principle

 The principle behind NMR is that many nuclei

spin and all nuclei are electrically charged.
 In a magnetic field, spinning nuclei have lower
energy when aligned with the field than when
opposed to it because they behave like magnets.
 This energy difference corresponds to radio
frequencies hence the nuclei are able to absorb
and reemit radio waves.
NMR - Principle

 The diagram shows

the case for the spin
half nucleus.
 The principle is the
same although more
complex for higher
spins.
MOLECULAR MODELLING
Molecular modeling
 Molecular modeling is a collection of (computer based)
techniques for deriving, representing and manipulating
the structures and reactions of molecules, and those
properties that are dependent on these three
dimensional structures.
 The three-dimensional structures of molecules help
determine the physical properties and the reactivity of
molecules. It is therefore necessary to be able to predict
the three-dimensional shapes so that we can predict
these physicals properties of compounds, and in time,
predict the reactivity of these compounds.