Class content > Energy: The Quantity of Motion
Prerequisites
While chemical bonds and chemical reactions are critical for the functioning of an organism, the longer range interaction forces between atoms and molecules also play a huge role in biology. For example, it is well known in biology that the shape of a molecule determines how it functions. A genetic change that changes a molecule's shape can change its function dramatically. A significant part of this is the electrical attraction between molecules. Let's consider a few questions about the interaction of molecules.
For the answers, read the follow-on pages on Interatomic forces, Molecular bonding, and Hydrogen bonding.
Follow-ons:
Ben Dreyfus and Joe Redish 11/15/11