- List of Figures
- List of Tables and Boxes
- Preface
- List of Symbols and Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- Origins
- Size Matters
- Universal Assumptions
- 1 Introduction
- I Background
- 2 Microscopy
- Invention
- Eyeglasses
- Microscopes
- Observation
- Structure of Tissues
- Microscopic Organisms
- Brownian Motion
- Bacteria
- Characterizations
- Classifications
- Measurements
- Sizes
- Shapes
- Adaptations
- Invention
- 3 Fluids
- Some History
- Viscosity
- Basic Theory
- The Reynolds Number
- Concept
- Examples
- Creeping Flow
- Simplicity of Flow
- Flow through Tubes
- Flow around Cylinders
- Slow&nash;Moving Spheres
- Stokes’ Law for Speed
- Frictional Coefficient
- Deviations
- Interactions
- 4 Molecules
- The Atomic View of Matter
- Gas Laws
- Chance Breakthroughs
- Probability
- Normal Distribution
- Poisson Distribution
- The Kinetic Theory
- Avogadro’s Number
- Diffusion
- Osmotic Pressure
- Perspective
- 5 Brownian Motion
- Observations
- Theory
- Experimental Tests
- Random Walks
- A Model of Diffusion
- Constrained Angles
- Perspective
- 6 Ellipsoids
- Plots of Ellipsoidal Shape Parameters
- Contours
- Special Plots
- Calculations
- Translation
- Translational Friction Coefficients
- Translational Diffusion Coefficient
- Rotation
- Rotational Friction Coefficient
- Rotational Diffusion Coefficient
- Rotational Time Constant
- Plots of Ellipsoidal Shape Parameters
- 7 Information
- Shannon’s Concepts
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- Noise Is Ubiquitous
- What Is Information?
- Perspective
- 8 Energy
- Energy Flows
- Power Density
- Speed of Swimming
- 2 Microscopy
- II Physical Consequences
- 9 Chemical Transport
- Flow
- Diffusion Faster Than Flow at Small Scale
- Diffusion Faster in Gas Than Liquid 144
- Diffusion from Sources
- Instantaneous Source
- Steady Point Source
- Steady Line Source
- Diffusion to Sinks
- Stationary Sink
- Moving Sink
- Distributed Sinks
- Nutrients and Waste
- 10 Signal Detection
- Time and Size Are Important
- Light
- Chemicals
- Temperature
- Orientation Information
- Rotational Brownian Motion Limits Time for Detection
- Magnetic Bacteria
- Size for Detecting Gravity
- Time and Size Are Important
- 9 Chemical Transport
- III Consequences for Locomotion
- 11 Dispersal
- The Importance of Dispersal
- Dispersal by Diffusion
- Effect of Shape on Brownian Motion
- Dispersal by Random Swimming
- Size
- Shape
- Dispersal by Collimated Swimming
- 12 Sedimentation
- Speed
- Composition
- Size
- Shape
- Orientation
- Inclination
- Gliding
- Asymmetric Density
- Rotation
- Opposing Rotational Brownian Motion
- Consequences
- Enhancing Nutrient Uptake
- Loss of Light and Oxygen
- Speed
- 13 Swimming
- Resistance to Movement
- Propulsion
- Motion of a Propulsive Appendage
- Shape of a Propulsive Appendage
- Cilia and Flagella of Eukaryotes
- Flagella of Prokaryotes
- Rotation
- Mechanical Efficiency
- Helical Swimming Paths
- Useful Distance to Move
- 11 Dispersal
- IV Consequences for Orientation to Stimulus Gradients
- 14 Gradient Guiding
- Environmental Gradients
- Determination of Direction
- Gradient Decay Length
- S/N for Gradient Determination
- Spatial Comparison
- Temporal Comparison
- Response
- 15 Size Limit for Locomotion
- Minimum Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- Chemical Gradients
- Light Gradients
- Heat Gradients
- Light Direction
- Comparisons
- Condensed Formulas
- Plots
- Overview
- Minimum Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 16 Optimal Shapes
- Nutrient Uptake
- Locomotion
- Dispersal
- Sedimentation
- Swimming Efficiency
- Orientation
- Gradient Guiding
- Light Direction
- Comparison
- Predictions
- Observations
- 14 Gradient Guiding
- V Consequences for Interactions between Organisms
- 17 Encounter Rates
- Collision Theory
- Search Theory
- Encounter Rates in Three Dimensions
- Straight Movement
- Diffusion
- Encounter Distances
- Overview
- 18 Predation
- Modifying Factors
- Community Structure
- Maximal Predation
- Minimal Predation
- Combined Theory
- Size of Top Predator
- Viruses
- Waste
- Flux
- Size Limit
- Discrete Elimination
- 19 Pheromone Attraction
- Flux
- Search Rates
- Pheromone Use
- 20 Gametes
- The Problem
- The Gamete Model
- Density
- Speed
- Gamete Encounter Rates
- Isogamy and Anisogamy: Encounter by Contact
- Oogamy: Encounter by Pheromone
- Pheromone Use
- Male and Female
- 17 Encounter Rates
- Summary
- Appendix 1. Approximation Rules
- Appendix 2. Calculus
- Derivatives
- Integrals
- Appendix 3. Acceleration of Plates
- Appendix 4. Justifications
- Criterion of Incompressible Flow
- Reynolds Number of Brownian Motion
- Appendix 5. Sedimentation Equilibrium
- Appendix 6. Ellipsoid Mathematics
- Description
- Curvature
- Plots
- Surface Area
- Hydrodynamic Calculations
- Translation
- Rotation
- Appendix 7. Bending Beams
- Appendix 8. Chemical Potential Energy
- Water
- Ions
- Appendix 9. Calculation of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- S/N for Chemical Gradient
- Temporal Comparison
- Spatial Comparison
- S/N for Light
- Light Gradients
- Light Direction
- S/N for Chemical Gradient
- Appendix 10. Calculating Flow Velocities
- Flow around Point Sources and Sinks
- Flow around a Solid Sphere
- Flow around a Gas Bubble
- Appendix 11. High Reynolds Numbers: Navier-Stokes Equations
- Continuity
- Momentum
- Viscosity
- Appendix 12. Drag
- Notes
- References
- Description
Living at Micro Scale
The Unexpected Physics of Being Small
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Book Details
PAPERBACK
$22.95 • £16.95 • €20.70
ISBN 9780674060210
Publication: March 2011
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Awards
- 2010 Georgia Author of the Year Award, Specialty Book Category, Georgia Writers Association
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