SUBJECT MATTER 



SUBJECT MATTER 



From recent and current literature, and within the scope discussed, it has 

 been possible to arrive at a fair idea of the topics which are termed "Bio- 

 physics." 



Table 2, aided by Figure 1, is an attempt to classify the subject matter in 

 a form which lends itself to an integrated presentation. One must realize, of 

 course, that clear-cut distinctions cannot be made, and that each of these 

 subjects must overlap the other to a greater or lesser extent — for all are parts 

 of a system; and these parts interact. 



TABLE 2. A Classification of Biophysics 



Chapter 

 I. Physical Biophysics ("True" Biophysics) 



(a) Classical: 



Mechanics, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics, optics and 2, 3 

 sound in man 



(b) Modern: 



Radiological physics, both electromagnetic and matter 4, 5, 9 

 waves; absorption; scatter; radioactive tracers 

 II. Physicochemical Biophysics (Biophysical Chemistry) 



(a) Structure of large molecules, colloids, and gels 6 



(b) Energetics or thermodynamics: 



Energy balance and energy transfer; temperature; food 

 values; electrochemical control of and by redox systems 



(c) Kinetics and mechanisms of physical biological processes: 



Osmotic flow and water balance; incompressible flow in 8 

 circulatory systems; membrane differentiation 



III. Physiological Biophysics (Physical Physiology) 



(a) Classical: 



Bioelectricity; brain and heart measurements; volume con- 7, 8, 10 

 duction; membrane potentials 



(b) Modern: 



Effects of high energy radiations; effect of physical and 9, 7 

 thermal shocks (radiation therapy, modern space medi- 

 cine); system control; bioenergetics 



IV. Mathematical Biophysics 



Biostatistics; computers; cybernetics; growth rates and 1 1 



cycles; the systems concept 



METHOD OF PRESENTATION 



After a review of useful and necessary mathematics, which the author has 

 found to be a pragmatic need and a valuable teaching aid, two chapters 



