Biophysical Thermodynamics of Intracellular Processes Molecular Machines of The Living Cell

The structure of the theory ofthermodynamics has changed enormously since its inception in the middle of the nineteenth century. Shortly after Thomson and Clausius enunciated their versions of the Second Law, Clausius, Maxwell, and Boltzmann began actively pursuing the molecular basis of thermo­ dynamics, work that culminated in the Boltzmann equation and the theory of transport processes in dilute gases. Much later, Onsager undertook the elucidation of the symmetry oftransport coefficients and, thereby, established himself as the father of the theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics.

This volume highlights the remarkable superfamily of molecular motors called myosins, which are involved in such diverse cellular functions as muscle contraction, intracellular transport, cell migration and cell division.

This book summarizes the emerging experimental evidence on hair-cell mechanotransduction, and covers hair’s cellular structure, biophysical properties, molecular components and functions. Auditory hair cells convert sound-induced vibration into electrical signals. This biological process, mechanotransduction, is what allows us to hear and communicate in our daily lives. However, our grasp of hair-cell mechanotransduction is still far from complete. Recent advances in molecular genetics and biophysics have helped us gain deeper insights into this process, especially the molecular constituent and operation of the channel complex. This book provides a cutting-edge snapshot for all readers who are interested in or studying how auditory hair cells detect sound.