Water in Biology: A Molecular View
The various behaviors of water at surfaces, in solutions, in hydrating ions, proton transport, and the phase changes involving water are introduced. Hydrogen bonds, their networks, and how they are associated with proteins are discussed, along with proton transport, which is essential in several biological systems. The authors then discuss water in confined spaces, channels, and transporters, critical topics in biology. Some special topics are interesting, like anhydrobiosis, and those are touched upon briefly.
The authors have not attempted to make this book comprehensive; the thousands of papers that have been published that are relevant provide far too much material for a single volume. Instead, enough material is presented so that the reader sees what is known or thought to be known. As with any science, sometimes we are pretty sure of something, only to find ground shifting under us as new experimental results show that what we thought we knew, we didn’t. However, a snapshot of the present state of knowledge is helpful. Knowledge is progressing so rapidly that at least some will need updating as this is being written. However, this is an excellent time to summarize what is known and provide background information to help understand what is coming.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Background
Chapter 3. Phases: 3-Dimensional and 2-Dimensional Phases and Phase Changes
Chapter 4. Solvation by Water: Ions, Other Hydrophilic Species, and Larger Molecules, Especially Amino Acids, and onto Proteins
Chapter 5. Nucleic Acid Hydration: Effects on Structure, Thermodynamics, and Dynamics
Chapter 6. Ionic Conduction and Diffusion
Chapter 7. Acids and Bases with Particular Reference to Amino Acids
Chapter 8. Surfaces: Colloids, Small Particles, Surfactants, and Macroscopic Liquid Surfaces
Chapter 9. Hydrogen Bonds and Proton Paths
Chapter 10. Confined Spaces and Water Clusters
Chapter 11. Channels and Transporters
Chapter 12. Three Special Topics
Chapter 13. Simulations, Quantum Calculations, and Other Calculations
Chapter 14. Conclusion
Chapter 15. Epilogue
Appendix: Boltzmann Distribution and Some Uses
Acknowledgments
Index
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