Advances in Biological and Medical Physics, Volume 16 covers articles about advances in biological and medical physics. The book presents articles about studies on spontaneous bioelectric activity of nerve cells in cultures and on means and methods for processing of physiological signals with emphasis on EEG analysis. The text also includes articles on dissipative structures and biological order; on spatial and temporal organization in the Zhabotinsky reaction; as well as on chemical topology and reaction dynamics. The perspectives on thermodynamics and the origin of life; pattern formation in a model for cooperative membrane carrier transport; as well as an enzyme membrane oscillator are also considered. The book further describes articles about synthetic membranes and living cells, membrane structure and passive flows, and energetics of active transport. The text then discusses the isolation and characterization of different molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase and the relationship of the enzyme to the membrane; as well as the chemical control of bioelectric currents. The traditional conflict between physics and metaphysics; human and scientific concepts of time; the relation of the sciences to human and religious values; and moiré patterns in science and art are also encompassed. The book concludes by providing summary remarks and personal recollections of Aharon Katchalsky and a description of Aharon Katzir as a scientist and humanist. Biological and medical physicists will find the book invaluable.
