In order for biological organisms to function, the different ingredients in all the complex chemical reactions that sustain life need to come close together. How does that happen? Are the reactants moved into position by special transport objects ("molecular motors") or does nature rely on the reactants just finding each other randomly? In this cluster we will discuss the answer to that question, and, in particular, solve the problems of "diffusion" and "random walks" which are important not only in biology but in all sorts of natural processes. We'll learn how to address these topics both with "pencil and paper" calculations but also, when such calculations get too hard, with simulation programs. There are some technical things we need to learn along the way: the linux operating system of the computers we will be using and how to write programs in C. We won't assume students know too much about these things, so we'll do a lot of simple, but interesting warm-up programs before tackling our biophysics projects.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
The Biological Frontier of Physics
SOME RANDOM WALK RESULTS:
d=1 Probability to reach target graph 1
d=1 Probability to reach target graph 2
MINI-PROJECTS:
Molecules finding each other in cells
Molecular Motor Code
First Molecular Motor Worksheet
Where should I be?
WRITING AND COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES:
Learning how science and research are presented.
PROGRAMS/FILES TO DOWNLOAD:
Random Number Generator Header File
COMPUTING GUIDES:
The linux operating system
Introduction to xmgrace
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
Random Walk Orientation
Some Questions on Probability
What Does Tossing a Coin Have to do with the Binomial Theorem?!
Summing Geometric and Arithmetic Series
Base Two!
SOME EXTRA PROGRAMMING TASKS:
The Fibonacci Numbers
CHAOS!
BIOPHYSICS READING: