Content (Syllabus outline)

Basic concepts: System, system state and properties, state functions: pressure, temperature, volume, energy.

I. law of thermodynamics: Heat, work, internal energy, enthalpy, heat capacity.

II. law of thermodynamics: Entropy and free energy, conditions for equilibrium and spontaneity of processes. Free energy transfer and entropy production in biological systems.

Solutions of biological macromolecules: Description of state by thermodynamic quantities and their interpretation on the basis of solute - solvent, solute - solute, solvent - solvent; Colligative properties; Membrane equilibrium; Transport across biological membranes: Passive, facilitated, active transport.

Stability of Proteins and Nucleic Acids:

Mechanism and thermodynamics of folding of proteins and nucleic acids. Determination of thermodynamic stability from denaturation experiments and its dependence on temperature and the surrounding medium. Thermodynamic stability and biological function.

Binding of biological macromolecules:

No. binding sites, binding affinity, cooperativity; Proton binding. Thermodynamics of binding and biological function.

 

Laboratory excercises:

- Calorimetry

- Colligative properties

- Heterogeneous equilibrium

- Hydrophobic effect

- Thermodynamic stability of proteins

- Thermodynamic stability of proteome and prediction of phenotype of bacterial growth

- Protolitic equilibria in amino acid solutions

- Ligand binding to DNA

Prerequisites

Requirements for enrolment:

Matriculation into the programme.

 

Terms of Prerequisites:

Prerequisite for taking the final exam are completed obligations required by the programme (lectures, laboratory exercises)