Ions in Water and Biophysical Implications

Over the past decade, numerous books have attempted to explain ions in aqueous solutions in relation to biophysical phenomena. Ions in Water and Biophysical Implications, from Chaos to Cosmos offers a physicochemical point of view of the spread of this matter and suggests innovative solutions that will challenge the biophysics research establishment. Starting with a throughout discussion of the properties of liquid water, in particular as a structured liquid with an extensive hydrogen bonded structure, the book examines water as a solvent for gases, non-electrolytes, and electrolytes and reviews the properties, sizes and thermodynamics of isolated and aqueous ions, as well as their interactions, including those of polyelectrolytes. The effects of ions on water structure, including those on solvent dynamics and certain thermodynamic quantities, are presented. This volume investigates water surfaces with its vapour, with another liquid, and with a solid, as well as the effects of solutes, including simple ions and the water-miscible non-electrolytes. Surfaces are relevant to biomolecular and colloidal systems and the book discusses briefly surfactants, micelles and vesicles. Finally, the book concludes with a review of the various biophysical implications involving chaotropic and kosmotropic ions in homogeneous solutions and the Hofmeister series for ions concerning biomolecular and colloidal systems and some aspects of protein hydration and K+/Na+ selectivity in ion channels. Ions in Water and Biophysical Implications, from Chaos to Cosmos will appeal to physical chemists, biophysicists, biochemists, as well as to all students and researchers involved in the study of aqueous solutions.

Yizhak Marcus was born in Germany but received all his education in Jerusalem, where he obtained his Ph. D. from the Hebrew University in 1956. He was a researcher at the Soreq Nuclear Research Institute, dealing mainly with actinide chemistry, ion exchange, and solvent extraction. From there he was called in 1965 and appointed Professor of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry at the Hebrew University. There he taught and did research till his retirement in 1999, but continues with research as Professor Emeritus. His main interest is solution chemistry: aqueous, non-aqueous, and mixed solvents, solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes. He has published in this and neighboring fields 7 books and over 300 papers in refereed journals. He also is active as a painter, participating in exhibitions.