Biomedical Calculations - Principles and Practice

Informationen zum Autor Dr. Richard Francis Burton, Honorary Research Fellow, Thomson Building, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK. Klappentext Biomedical Calculations: Principles and Practice is an accessible, student-friendly introduction to calculating, applying formulae and solving quantitative problems within these subjects. This book targets a problem area for many students and aims to give them the confidence which they are so often lacking when undertaking scientific calculations. It takes a unique approach to the subject and uses unit analysis as a central theme throughout the book to enhance student understanding.Clearly structured throughout, little basic knowledge of mathematics is assumed, but even the most numerate readers will be interested in the sometimes-novel biological detail. Numerous worked examples, supplementary questions and practice problems are provided and although the book is written to be read in sequence, it will also be a useful reference.The central theme of the book focuses on the value of unit analysis in solving quantitative problems, with explanations on how to avoid errors in calculations and in checking, understanding and deriving formulae and equations. As a background to this, there is extensive treatment of physical units, both individually (e.g. kg, m, mmol) and in combination (e.g. m s², mmol L¹), and also of other aspects of quantitative thinking. A variety of topics (mostly from physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry) are used to demonstrate these calculations in practice.Key features:* An accessible, student-friendly introduction for all those hesitant in calculating, applying formulae and solving quantitative problems* An innovative approach to scientific calculations and how to work with unfamiliar formulae for the biomedical and life sciences* Includes modern, up to date definition of pH eliminating the need for logarithms and a discussion of the importance of pH* Clear introduction on how to use the book, guidance on units and unit conversion, and an appendix on basic mathematics and notation* Use of unit analysis as a central theme* Includes numerous worked examples and supplementary questions throughout the text to enhance student understanding Zusammenfassung "It is said if you take care of the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves. Richard Burton's excellent book takes this approach to calculations applied to the biomedical sciences...This book is certainly interesting and engaging but it avoids being complicated. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface. Acknowledgements. This book, and how to use it. PART I. 1. Unit analysis: the neglected key to confidence. 1.1 Calculating with units. 1.2 Ways of writing composite units. 1.3 How unit analysis can guide thinking and help solve problems. 1.4 When to specify substances along with units. 1.5 The need to use appropriate and compatible units in formulae. 1.6 Checking and deriving formulae. 1.7 When unit analysis raises questions about formulae. 1.8 Dimensional analysis. PART II. 2. Units: length, area, volume, mass, moles and equivalents. 2.1 The Système International and unit prefixes. 2.2 Length and distance. 2.3 Area. 2.4 Volume. 2.5 Mass. 2.6 Moles. 2.7 Equivalents. 2.8 Conversion between units. Problems. 3. Percentages. 3.1 When percentages mislead: human body fat and fat in milk. 3.2 Heat loss from the body: further questionable percentages. Problems. 4. Composite units I - density. 4.1 Specific gravity. 4.2 Specific volume. 4.3 Two definitions of body density. 4.4 Thinking about a formula. Problems. 5. Composite units II - concentration. 5.1 C...

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface.
 
Acknowledgements.
 
This book, and how to use it.
 
PART I.
 
1. Unit analysis: the neglected key to confidence.
 
PART II.
 
2. Units: length, area, volume, mass, moles and equivalents.
 
Problems.
 
3. Percentages.
 
Problems.
 
4. Composite units I - density.
 
Problems.
 
5. Composite units II - concentration.
 
Problems.
 
6. Aspects of problem solving.
 
Problems.
 
7. Making up and diluting solutions.
 
Problems.
 
8. Calculating drug doses.
 
Problems.
 
9. More about solutions - electroneutrality, osmotic pressure and activity.
 
PART III.
 
10. Graphs, straight lines and equations.
 
Problems.
 
11. On shapes and sizes.
 
Problems.
 
12. Body size, body build, fatness and muscularity: unit analysis as an aid to discovery.
 
PART IV.
 
13. Introducing time.
 
Problems.
 
PART V.
 
14. Force, pressure, energy, work and power.
 
Problems.
 
15. Lessons from another formula.
 
Problems.
 
16. Heat and temperature.
 
Problems.
 
17. Gases: dry and wet gas mixtures, partial pressures, gases in solution.
 
Problems.
 

PART VI.
 
18. Introduction to logarithms.
 
Problems.
 
19. Exponential time courses.
 
Problems.
 
20. Nernst equations in physiology and biochemistry: logarithms and 'RT/zF'.
 
Problems.
 
21. pH - two definitions and a possible dilemma for teachers.
 
Problems.
 
22. Equilibrium constants, the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, dose-response curves.
 
Problems.
 
23. Buffering and acid-base balance.
 
Problems.
 
References.
 
Appendix A. Basic mathematics and mathematical language.
 
Appendix B. Some non-metric units.
 
Appendix C. Notes.
 
Appendix D. Solutions to problems.
 
Index.

Bericht

"... excellent book... certainly interesting and engaging but it avoids being complicated." -Journal of Biological Education, Spring 2009

Produktdetails

• Autoren: R. F. Burton, Richard Burton, Richard (University of Glasgow) Burton, Richard F. Burton
• Verlag: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Sprache: Englisch
• Produktform: Taschenbuch
• Erschienen: 22.08.2008
• EAN: 9780470519110
• ISBN: 978-0-470-51911-0
• Seiten: 320
• Themen: Naturwissenschaften, Medizin, Informatik, Technik > Biologie > Allgemeines, Lexika; Statistik, Chemie, Statistics, Biomedizin, Biostatistik, chemistry, Biostatistics, Molecular Pharmacology, Molekulare Pharmakologie