ABSTRACT

Bioenergetics deals with the very first energy transformation steps performed by living cells. Increased dissipation is the primary effect of processing external energy packages. Enzyme-supported charge separation is the minor but essential outcome for maintaining life. This book explores the usefulness of dissecting the entropy production of enzymes involved in cellular defenses, fermentation, respiration, and photosynthesis, assuming that tightly regulated dissipation is the hallmark of life.

Researchers, educators, and students of life sciences can find in this text many examples of how we can use the interdisciplinary approach to study cells' virtuoso ability to connect the microscopic to the macroscopic world. Each chapter is a self-contained unit with a glossary and selected references for further reading.

chapter Chapter 1|11 pages

Mitchell's Chemiosmotic Theory The Background

chapter Chapter 2|4 pages

Membrane Bioenergetics in a Nutshell

chapter Chapter 4|5 pages

What is Life?

chapter Chapter 5|17 pages

Some Answers to Schrödinger's Questions

chapter Chapter 6|3 pages

Protonmotive Force

chapter Chapter 7|47 pages

Membrane Proteins

chapter Chapter 8|19 pages

The Maximum Entropy Production

Applications in the Bioenergetics of Bacterial Photosynthesis

chapter Chapter 10|11 pages

Perfect Enzymes, According to Biochemists

chapter Chapter 11|20 pages

ATP Synthase Molecular Motor

chapter Chapter 12|15 pages

Bacteriorhodopsin

Light-harvesting Movie Star

chapter Chapter 13|10 pages

The Protonmotive Force in Geochemistry and the Origin Question

Is the Origin of Bioenergetics Connected with the Origin of Life?