Course detail

Biophysics

FEKT-NBFYAcad. year: 2011/2012

Interpretation of bioelectric phenomena. Electrical activity of living tissue on molecular, cellular and organ level. Methods of measurement of membrane voltage and membrane currents in isolated cells, recording of random pulse signals from membrane channels on molecular level. Origin and propagation of impulses of action voltage. Cellular basis of diagnostically significant electromagnetic field generated by organs. Coupling between electrical excitation and muscle contraction. Introduction to biomechanics. Mechanics of cardiovascular system. Introduction to biothermodynamics. Gibbs energy and electrochemical potentials in biophysics. Biophysics of ecosystem.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. RNDr. Ing. Jiří Šimurda, CSc.

Department

Department of Biomedical Engineering (UBMI)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Detailed knowledge of bioelectric phenomena. Principles of biomechanics and biothermodynamics. Approach to physical measurements on the living objects.

Prerequisites

The subject knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Requirements for completion of a course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Course curriculum

Scope of biophysics, genesis and function of electrical signals in living cells.
Physical grounding of bioelectric phenomena, model, el. equivalent circuit. Physical interpretation of resting membrane voltage and action voltage. Propagation of action voltage in cellular fibres and in syncytium. Quantitative description. Methods of measurement and analysis of membrane voltage and membrane currents.
Bioelectrical signals on molecular level. Membrane channels and carriers. Methods of measurement. Drug – channel interactions.
Excitable cell as a source of electromagnetic field. Quantitative description of electromagnetic field generated by biological sources based on Maxwell equations.
Biomechanics of muscle. Excitation-contraction coupling. Molecular basis of contraction. Mechanics of cardiovascular system (CVS). Architecture and physical properties of the CVS, quantitative modelling of CVS.
Introduction to biothermodynamics. Gibbs energy, chemical and electrochemical potential, Principles of bioenergetics. Energetics of chemical reactions. Turnover of energy and mass in ecosystem. Derivation and consequences of Nernst-Planck equation.
Thermodynamics of bioelectrical phenomena. Electrical impedance of the living tissue.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim is to teach students to apply physical theories and experimental methods to living organisms.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

J.Šimurda: Bioelektrické jevy I, CERM Brno, 1995
Peusner L.: Základy bioenergetiky, Alfa Bratislava, 1984
F. Bezanilla: Electrophysiology and the Molecular Basis of Excitability. (University of California at Los Angeles) http://nerve.bsd.uchicago.edu/
Biophysics - Wikipedie - the free encyklopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophysics

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EEKR-MN Master's

    branch MN-BEI , 1. year of study, winter semester, theoretical subject

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. RNDr. Ing. Jiří Šimurda, CSc.

Syllabus

Scope of biophysics, genesis and function of electrical signals in living cells.
Physical interpretation of bioelectric phenomena, model, el. equivalent circuit.
Physical interpretation of action voltage origin and propagation. Quantitative description.
Methods of measurement and analysis of membrane voltage and membrane currents.
Bioelectrical signals on molecular level. Methods of measurement.
Membrane channels and carriers.
Excitable cell as a source of electromagnetic field.
Quantitative description of electromagnetic field generated by biological sources.
Biomechanics of muscle cell.
Mechanics of cardiovascular system.
Introduction to biothermodynamics.
Thermodynamics of bioelectrical phenomena.
Introduction to bioenergetics.

Laboratory exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. RNDr. Ing. Jiří Šimurda, CSc.

Syllabus

Electrodes for biomedical measurement.
Measurement of excitability.
Cellular membrane as a dynamic system - computer simulations.
Preparation of experiment on isolated cells
Measurement of mechanical activity of cardiac cells.
Measurement and analysis of tissue impedance.