Thermodynamics: An Introductory Glance

Abstract

Biological systems are complex because of the enormous interdependency and interaction of chemical species and physical forces. The simple molecule of water is a good example of this “systemic” complexity. Although a simple molecule, water plays an important and interesting role in biological systems. What will become clear is that this simple molecule interacts with everything around it—polar and nonpolar molecules and even surfaces, not considered to be in solution. It is important to have effective tools to predict and model the behavior of such interactions and their effect on the heterogeneous systems that make up biological cells even when the detailed nature of the interactions may not be known.