Medicine · Year 2 · MU Sofia

Biophysics

Biophysics is taught in Year 2 of the Medicine degree at the Medical University of Sofia, and its syllabus runs through 30 topics. It begins with thermodynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, bioenergetics and the thermodynamics of biopolymers, then turns to biomembranes: their proteins, model membranes, the erythrocyte membrane and molecular mobility. Free radicals, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress come next, followed by membrane transport, membrane, resting and action potentials, surface charge, electrokinetic phenomena and the passive electrical properties of tissues. It closes with the mechanics of tissues, membranes, vessels and blood, and nanotechnologies in medicine. AceMed has a note for every topic, about an hour and a half of reading, with 43 labelled pictures, 13 tables and 437 flashcards.

The full MU Sofia syllabus for Biophysics, Medicine, Year 2: 30 topics, every one with a free study note (80 minutes of reading), and 437 flashcards. Updated 2 November 2026.

syllabus topics: 30
free notes: 30
flashcards: 437
of reading: 80 min

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Syllabus

The topics in the order of the MU Sofia syllabus. Each one with a note opens in AceMed once you're signed in.

1. Basic concepts of thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic potentials4. Biothermodynamics - basics: basic concepts. First law of thermodynamics, internal energy. Second law of thermodynamics, entropy · 5. Biothermodynamics - potentials: entropy as a measure of disorder and probability. Third law. Thermodynamic potentials - definitions, changes, consequences5 min · 16 cards
2. Basics of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Thermodynamics of living systems7. The entropy in open systems: validity of the laws of thermodynamics in living systems. The change of entropy in an open system. Steady state and thermodynamic equilibrium · 8. Fundamentals of nonequilibrium biothermodynamics: linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics - generalized fluxes and driving forces. Flux conjugation criteria. A steady state close to equilibrium5 min · 14 cards
3. Bioenergetics6. Bioenergetics - basics: energy sources, types of work and heat in the living systems. Electrochemical potential, free energy and direction of processes2 min · 16 cards
4. Thermodynamics of biopolymers3 min · 17 cards
5. Biomembranes - functions, types, composition. Membrane lipids9. Biomembranes - composition, types and functions. Membrane lipids: subject and importance of biological membranology, types of membranes. Functions and basic chemical composition of biomembranes. Membrane phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterol3 min · 15 cards
6. Biomembranes - role of membrane proteins. Methods for investigation of biomembranes10. Membrane proteins and models: membrane proteins and glycoproteins - functions, localization and binding. Membrane models and methods of investigation of biomembranes. The erythrocyte membranes2 min · 14 cards
7. Model membranes. Fluid-mosaic model of membrane. Lipid rafts10. Membrane proteins and models: membrane proteins and glycoproteins - functions, localization and binding. Membrane models and methods of investigation of biomembranes. The erythrocyte membranes2 min · 14 cards
8. The erythrocyte membrane - characteristics10. Membrane proteins and models: membrane proteins and glycoproteins - functions, localization and binding. Membrane models and methods of investigation of biomembranes. The erythrocyte membranes2 min · 15 cards
9. Model membranes - monolayer, BLM, liposome11. Artificial membranes: lipid associates and model artificial membranes - types, preparation methods, properties and significance. Liposomes as drug carriers3 min · 14 cards
10. Molecular mobility in membranes. Phase transitions12. Properties and phase behavior of membranes: phase transition in the lipid bilayers. Lamellar and nonlamellar liquid crystal phases. Mobility of the membrane components - lateral and transversal diffusion2 min · 15 cards
11. Free radicals in living systems13. Free radical processes in living systems 1: free radicals - generation in biological systems. Types of free radicals, basic reactions for formation and registration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)2 min · 12 cards
12. Lipid peroxidation of membrane lipids14. Free radical processes in living systems 2: free radicals - generation in biological systems. Types of free radicals, basic reactions for formation and registration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)2 min · 15 cards
13. Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense14. Free radical processes in living systems 2: free radicals - generation in biological systems. Types of free radicals, basic reactions for formation and registration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)2 min · 15 cards
14. Passive membrane transport15. Membrane transport 1: subject and importance of membrane transport. Types of transport (classification). Free diffusion of non-charged particles - first and second Fick's laws. The Stokes-Einstein equation1 min · 12 cards
15. Diffusion of ions16. Membrane transport 2: free diffusion of ions - the Nernst-Planck equation, dimensionless potential. Non-free diffusion through a pored membrane1 min · 14 cards
16. Transport of water solutions across membranes17. Membrane transport 3: osmosis and filtration. Dialysis and hemodialysis. Water exchange through membranes and between blood and tissues4 min · 14 cards
17. Facilitated transport18. Membrane transport 4: facilitated diffusion. Ionophores - mobile carriers (valinomycin) and channel-forming carriers (gramicidin A). Principles of action, molecular structure and selectivity3 min · 14 cards
18. Active transport19. Membrane transport 5: active transport. Sodium-potassium pump and calcium pump - importance, role of ATP, molecular structure and model of action. Types of active transport with examples3 min · 13 cards
19. Membrane potentials20. Biopotentials - basics: diffusion, equilibrium (Nernst) and Donnan potentials - conditions and mechanisms of generation, dependencies on concentration and time2 min · 14 cards
20. Resting potential21. Resting potential: origin of the resting potential - theories. Goldman equation. The effect of electrogenic pump. Resting potential components2 min · 14 cards
21. Action potential22. Action potential: nature, formation, propagation. The Hodgkin-Huxley equations. Ion channels - model structure, effects of toxins and drugs4 min · 15 cards
22. Surface electric charge of cells. Electric double layer of charged membranes23. Surface electric charge of cells and tissues. Electrokinetic phenomena: origin of the surface electric charge - double electric layer and potential distribution. Stability of charged particle suspensions. Electrophoretic mobility - dependence on pH and ionic strength. Types of electrophoresis3 min · 15 cards
23. Electrokinetic phenomena. Electrophoresis23. Surface electric charge of cells and tissues. Electrokinetic phenomena: origin of the surface electric charge - double electric layer and potential distribution. Stability of charged particle suspensions. Electrophoretic mobility - dependence on pH and ionic strength. Types of electrophoresis3 min · 15 cards
24. Passive electrical properties of cells and tissues24. Passive electric properties of cells and tissues: electroconductivity of cells and tissues for DC and AC. Types of polarization of dielectrics and heterogeneous systems. Electroporation and electrofusion. Impedance and dispersion of the dielectric permittivity. Applications in medicine3 min · 16 cards
25. Mechanics of tissues1. Biomechanics 1: subject and importance of biomechanics. Rheology of the solid materials. Viscoelastic properties of bones and muscles2 min · 15 cards
26. Mechanics of biological membranes3 min · 15 cards
27. Mechanics of vascular and respiratory systems2. Biomechanics 2: passive mechanical properties of blood vessels - Lamé's equation, volume-pressure dependencies. Pulse wave. Mechanics of breathing2 min · 14 cards
28. Mechanical properties of blood3. Biomechanics 3: hemorheology - rheological characteristics of the blood. Dependence of blood viscosity on the hematocrit, deformability and aggregation of the red blood cells4 min · 13 cards
29. Nanotechnologies in medicine - drug nanocarriers25. Nanotechnologies in medicine 1: basic notions and terminology. Characteristics of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles and nanocapsules as drug carriers. Types of nanocarriers. Targeting and controlled release of drugs. Interaction with cells3 min · 16 cards
30. Nanotechnologies in medicine - diagnostic methods, biomaterials26. Nanotechnologies in medicine 2: nanotechnologies in medical diagnostics. Early in vitro diagnostics. Nanosensors - detection mechanisms and types. Nanoparticles in imaging diagnostics. Nanotechnologies in tissue engineering and for new biocompatible materials2 min · 16 cards

Other Year 2 subjects

Anatomy (Bones and Muscles)49 notes
Anatomy (Cardiovascular system)36 notes
Anatomy (CNS)34 notes
Anatomy (Internal Organs+Glands)44 notes
Anatomy (PNS)44 notes
Anatomy (Topographic)40 notes
Biochemistry70 notes
Histology17 notes
Physiology104 notes

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Syllabus

The topics in the order of the MU Sofia syllabus. Each one with a note opens in AceMed once you're signed in.

1. Basic concepts of thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic potentials4. Biothermodynamics - basics: basic concepts. First law of thermodynamics, internal energy. Second law of thermodynamics, entropy · 5. Biothermodynamics - potentials: entropy as a measure of disorder and probability. Third law. Thermodynamic potentials - definitions, changes, consequences5 min · 16 cards
2. Basics of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Thermodynamics of living systems7. The entropy in open systems: validity of the laws of thermodynamics in living systems. The change of entropy in an open system. Steady state and thermodynamic equilibrium · 8. Fundamentals of nonequilibrium biothermodynamics: linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics - generalized fluxes and driving forces. Flux conjugation criteria. A steady state close to equilibrium5 min · 14 cards
3. Bioenergetics6. Bioenergetics - basics: energy sources, types of work and heat in the living systems. Electrochemical potential, free energy and direction of processes2 min · 16 cards
4. Thermodynamics of biopolymers3 min · 17 cards
5. Biomembranes - functions, types, composition. Membrane lipids9. Biomembranes - composition, types and functions. Membrane lipids: subject and importance of biological membranology, types of membranes. Functions and basic chemical composition of biomembranes. Membrane phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterol3 min · 15 cards
6. Biomembranes - role of membrane proteins. Methods for investigation of biomembranes10. Membrane proteins and models: membrane proteins and glycoproteins - functions, localization and binding. Membrane models and methods of investigation of biomembranes. The erythrocyte membranes2 min · 14 cards
7. Model membranes. Fluid-mosaic model of membrane. Lipid rafts10. Membrane proteins and models: membrane proteins and glycoproteins - functions, localization and binding. Membrane models and methods of investigation of biomembranes. The erythrocyte membranes2 min · 14 cards
8. The erythrocyte membrane - characteristics10. Membrane proteins and models: membrane proteins and glycoproteins - functions, localization and binding. Membrane models and methods of investigation of biomembranes. The erythrocyte membranes2 min · 15 cards
9. Model membranes - monolayer, BLM, liposome11. Artificial membranes: lipid associates and model artificial membranes - types, preparation methods, properties and significance. Liposomes as drug carriers3 min · 14 cards
10. Molecular mobility in membranes. Phase transitions12. Properties and phase behavior of membranes: phase transition in the lipid bilayers. Lamellar and nonlamellar liquid crystal phases. Mobility of the membrane components - lateral and transversal diffusion2 min · 15 cards
11. Free radicals in living systems13. Free radical processes in living systems 1: free radicals - generation in biological systems. Types of free radicals, basic reactions for formation and registration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)2 min · 12 cards
12. Lipid peroxidation of membrane lipids14. Free radical processes in living systems 2: free radicals - generation in biological systems. Types of free radicals, basic reactions for formation and registration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)2 min · 15 cards
13. Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense14. Free radical processes in living systems 2: free radicals - generation in biological systems. Types of free radicals, basic reactions for formation and registration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)2 min · 15 cards
14. Passive membrane transport15. Membrane transport 1: subject and importance of membrane transport. Types of transport (classification). Free diffusion of non-charged particles - first and second Fick's laws. The Stokes-Einstein equation1 min · 12 cards
15. Diffusion of ions16. Membrane transport 2: free diffusion of ions - the Nernst-Planck equation, dimensionless potential. Non-free diffusion through a pored membrane1 min · 14 cards
16. Transport of water solutions across membranes17. Membrane transport 3: osmosis and filtration. Dialysis and hemodialysis. Water exchange through membranes and between blood and tissues4 min · 14 cards
17. Facilitated transport18. Membrane transport 4: facilitated diffusion. Ionophores - mobile carriers (valinomycin) and channel-forming carriers (gramicidin A). Principles of action, molecular structure and selectivity3 min · 14 cards
18. Active transport19. Membrane transport 5: active transport. Sodium-potassium pump and calcium pump - importance, role of ATP, molecular structure and model of action. Types of active transport with examples3 min · 13 cards
19. Membrane potentials20. Biopotentials - basics: diffusion, equilibrium (Nernst) and Donnan potentials - conditions and mechanisms of generation, dependencies on concentration and time2 min · 14 cards
20. Resting potential21. Resting potential: origin of the resting potential - theories. Goldman equation. The effect of electrogenic pump. Resting potential components2 min · 14 cards
21. Action potential22. Action potential: nature, formation, propagation. The Hodgkin-Huxley equations. Ion channels - model structure, effects of toxins and drugs4 min · 15 cards
22. Surface electric charge of cells. Electric double layer of charged membranes23. Surface electric charge of cells and tissues. Electrokinetic phenomena: origin of the surface electric charge - double electric layer and potential distribution. Stability of charged particle suspensions. Electrophoretic mobility - dependence on pH and ionic strength. Types of electrophoresis3 min · 15 cards
23. Electrokinetic phenomena. Electrophoresis23. Surface electric charge of cells and tissues. Electrokinetic phenomena: origin of the surface electric charge - double electric layer and potential distribution. Stability of charged particle suspensions. Electrophoretic mobility - dependence on pH and ionic strength. Types of electrophoresis3 min · 15 cards
24. Passive electrical properties of cells and tissues24. Passive electric properties of cells and tissues: electroconductivity of cells and tissues for DC and AC. Types of polarization of dielectrics and heterogeneous systems. Electroporation and electrofusion. Impedance and dispersion of the dielectric permittivity. Applications in medicine3 min · 16 cards
25. Mechanics of tissues1. Biomechanics 1: subject and importance of biomechanics. Rheology of the solid materials. Viscoelastic properties of bones and muscles2 min · 15 cards
26. Mechanics of biological membranes3 min · 15 cards
27. Mechanics of vascular and respiratory systems2. Biomechanics 2: passive mechanical properties of blood vessels - Lamé's equation, volume-pressure dependencies. Pulse wave. Mechanics of breathing2 min · 14 cards
28. Mechanical properties of blood3. Biomechanics 3: hemorheology - rheological characteristics of the blood. Dependence of blood viscosity on the hematocrit, deformability and aggregation of the red blood cells4 min · 13 cards
29. Nanotechnologies in medicine - drug nanocarriers25. Nanotechnologies in medicine 1: basic notions and terminology. Characteristics of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles and nanocapsules as drug carriers. Types of nanocarriers. Targeting and controlled release of drugs. Interaction with cells3 min · 16 cards
30. Nanotechnologies in medicine - diagnostic methods, biomaterials26. Nanotechnologies in medicine 2: nanotechnologies in medical diagnostics. Early in vitro diagnostics. Nanosensors - detection mechanisms and types. Nanoparticles in imaging diagnostics. Nanotechnologies in tissue engineering and for new biocompatible materials2 min · 16 cards