The Physics of Viruses presents what is known about viruses from the viewpoint of a physicist. In so doing, a major aim has proved to be the description of viruses, their shape, and structure. Rather surprisingly, definite shapes and structures are emerging, and it is with a heightened sense of excitement that the hoped-for simplicity and symmetry are beginning to be found.
The book contains eight chapters and opens with a discussion of the nature of viruses and their relation to physics. Subsequent chapters present studies on the size, shape, and hydration of viruses; the effects of ionizing radiation on viruses, thermal inactivation of viruses, biological effects of ultraviolet light, sonic and osmotic effects on viruses, and virus genetics and multiplication.
The account given here should interest not only the physicist but that growing body of students who admit to being virologists as well. There is no doubt that the processes of viruses are in some way the processes of biology, so that the fundamental actions of biology may well be clarified by thinking about how viruses perform their work.

Contenu

Foreword
I. The Nature of Viruses and Their Relation to Physics
Introduction
Outline of Virology
Virus Multiplication
Size and Shape of Viruses
Mutation of Viruses
Mutual Interference of Viruses
Virus Attenuation After Multiple Passage
Chemical Composition of Viruses
Virus Serology
Hemagglutination
Purified Virus Preparations
Virus Assay
Origin of Viruses
Physics and the Study of Viruses
II. The Size, Shape, and Hydration of Viruses
Optical Microscopy
Electron Microscopy
Ultrafiltration
Observations of the Motion of Viruses
Diffusion
Sedimentation
Sedimentation Technique
Diffusion-Constant Measurement During Sedimentation
Hydrated Partial Specific Volume
Viscosity
Asymmetric Particles
Examples of the Use of Virus Motion Studies
X-Ray Diffraction Applied to Viruses
Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering by Viruses
Picture of a Virus
Identity of Physical Particle and Infectious Unit
Virus Dimensions
III. Ionizing Radiation And Viruses
Nature of Energy Loss by Fast Charged Particles
Space Distribution of Primary Ionizations
Experimental Methods and Some Results
Analysis of Bombardment Results
The Action of X-Rays
Secondary Radiation Effects
Summary of Utility of Radiation Studies
Results of Infectivity Studies
Combined Thermal and Ionizing-Radiation Action on a Virus
Structural Deductions
Varied Effects of X-Radiation on Bacteriophage
Structural Inferences from Radiation Studies
IV. Thermal Inactivation of Viruses
Outline of the Theory of Thermal Inactivation
Thermal Inactivation of Viruses
Inactivation as a Function of pH
Pressure Effects on Thermal Inactivation
Conclusions from Thermal-Inactivation Studies
V. The Surface Of Viruses
Surface Functions of Viruses
Adsorption
Polypeptide Attachment
Virus Serology
Neutralization of Infectivity
Surface Inactivation by Antibody
Serological Inactivation of Viruses
Thermal Inactivation of Serological Affinity
Hemagglutination
Nature of the Virus Surface
VI. Action of Ultraviolet Light on Viruses
Molecular Absorption of Ultraviolet Light
Absorption by Some Definite Molecules
The Absorption Spectrum of Tobacco Mosaic Virus
Absorption Spectra of Other Viruses
Action Spectra
Infectivity and Hemagglutination Action Spectra of Influenza Virus
Action Spectra for Different Viruses
Quantum Yield
Multiplicity Reactivation after Ultraviolet Treatment
Photoreactivation of Bacteriophage
Summary and Conclusions from Action Spectra
VII. Sonic and Osmotic Effects on Viruses
Pressures Developed
Cavitation
Sonic Irradiation Procedures
Sonic Effects on Viruses
Osmotic Effects on Viruses
VIII. Virus Genetics, Virus Multiplication, and Virus Physics
Virus Recombination and Virus Genetics
Bacterial Virus Multiplication
Radiophosphorous Studies of Phage
Summary of Pertinent Facts about Viruses
Description of Present Knowledge of Virus Multiplication
Description of a Virus
The Energy Turnover in the Host
Forces Operative in Virus Multiplication
Ionic Atmosphere, or Double-Layer Forces
Van der Waals Forces between Macromolecules
Fluctuating Proton Charge Forces
Potential Energy Diagrams for Two Macromolecules
Author Index
Subject Index