The Nature of Biological Systems as Revealed by Thermal Methods [electronic resource] / edited by Dénes Lörinczy.

Order-disorder conformational transitions of carbohydrate polymers -- Thermal analyses and combined techniques in food physical chemistry -- Recrystallisation of starch studied with MDSC -- Calorimetric information about food and food constituents -- Using DSC for monitoring protein conformation stability and effects on fat droplets crystallinity in complex food emulsions -- Structural and functional studies of muscle proteins by using differential scanning calorimetry -- Effect of nucleotides and environmental factors on the intermediate states of ATP hydrolysis cycle in skeletal muscle fibres -- Thermal investigation on whole plants and plant tissues -- Thermobiochemical studies of animal cell systems in vitro -- Thermal investigations on social insects -- DSC examination of the musculosceletal system -- Quantitative thermal analysis of carbohydrate-water systems -- Statistical mechanical analysis of protein heat capacity accompanied with thermal transition.

The Nature of Biological Systems as Revealed by Thermal Methods is a guide for experiments using thermal methods. The Editor has used his many years of experience to create a unique resource that will enable others with a less mathematical background, to realize the beauty and power of this tool and to gain a better understanding of biological problems. Biological calorimetry (and of course thermal analysis) is of increasing interest and is not covered thoroughly in other resources. The methods presented are macroscopic, for the rather inhomogeneous material (micromethods are often not possible or not pertinent). This book will help beginners in the field of thermal analysis or calorimetry understand the principles of thermodynamics being applied to biological systems. Biological systems are highly organized and very complex. The water and the different types of weak interactions among the macromolecules make the interpretation of thermal events very difficult. This book includes examples how to handle such problems.