BOOH REVIWf .. .
found in the chanter. Carefullv nrenared taIden and clearly hand drawn figures arc used to clarify i m p ~ n a n tconcepts. All applications of the chemical concepts are taken from the allied health fields, which should arouse the students' interests and help them to incorporate the chemical concepts into their lives and future careers. The format of each chapter followsthat of the second edition. A set of objectives stating the concepts to be presented and the goale to be attained precede each chapter. A short section called "Scope" heads the chapter and sets the stage for the chapter's material by relating it to experiences and applications drawn from the allied health areas. Only one objective is treated at a time in the chapter, and it is followed by sample questions to help the student see whether the material has been mastered. A set of questions based on each objective follows the chapter. Students can use these as a study guide to evaluate their progress in attaining the goals of the objectives. Answers to all questions ate given at the end of the text. An annendix with a mathematiral review contains dl the bmir pn,m9ep needed to work the problems. This text would he a gwd choice f w ntudents who are in a terminal course and need an expoaure togeneral, organic, and biological chemistry to pursue further study in the allied health fields. Sister Mary Kieran McElroy Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia,PA 19118
337) to scientifically questionable (pp. 5, li7\
In the words of the earlier reviewer: "This text does an excellent job of integrating chemistry as relating to the composition of living matter in the framework of a terminal course for those interested in health-related fields." J. L. Kirsch Butler University Indianapolis, IN 46208
Blochemlsiry J. David Rawn. Harper and Row, New York. NY. 1983.xxxi 1139 pp. Figs. and tables. 21.5 X 29 cm. $37.95.
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Since a multitude of biochemistry textbooks are in print, a new entry further complicates an already difficult choice. A new text by J. David Rawn does nothing to simplify the situation in that it is a text worthy of careful consideration. Rawn has written a detailed hook (1139pp.) designed for acornprehensive full-year course in biochemistry. The text was written assuming that the student has completed organic chemistry but has not taken physical chemistry. The book is divided into three major sections: conformation and function of biological molecules (11 chapters, 476 pp.), metabolism (12 chapters, 486 pp.), and molecular biology (4 chapters, 131 pp.). The first chapter, following an overview, focuses on the principles of thermodynamics and their application to hioehemistry. Although brief, this chapter does introduce the student to the hasic thermodynamic concepts in sufficient depth for the subsequent chapters. The remainder of the first section is traditional in order of topics: amino acids, secondary structure, conformation and structure, isolation and purification of macromolecules.. enzvmes. kinetics. ear, . enzvme , hohydratrr, nuclcir aclds. n>mzymcp,h p l d ~ , Chemistry a n d Life: An Introduction t o and mmhraner. The mers and drv~hpmenr General, Organic, and Biological ~ r theje f vhapttrx is centered in the relr\nnt organic chemistry and structure. The text is Chemistry profusely supplemented with illustrations of John W. Hilland DorothvM. Feiol. Buraess structures and reactions. The examples Publishing Cn., ~inneapolis,KN, 1683. chosen are generally excellent and adequately xxii 773 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 23.5 supplement the narrative. Although the cm. $27.95. graphics are not as fancy as in some teats, there is a unique and most useful stress on the The second edition of "ChemiStry and three-dimensional structures of biological Life" is substantially similar to the first, remolecules. The book is supplied with a viewed by D. D. Clark, THIS JOURNAL, 56, stereoviewer, and a large number of stereoA139 (1979). (Note that the last name of the views are presented, ranging from the indifirst author is spelled "Hall" in that first revidual amino acids, to protein and polynuview). The text is aimed a t the full-vear cleotide structures. The stereoviewer and course for students in the healrn-rrlsted structures are of excellent quality and serve scien~es.Major chnnyes in the new edition to provide a real insight into the importance include the separarim oi rnurh iupp1cmc~~- of structure in biological molecules. It is tary material into special-topics sections and useful to note that the chapter on nucleothe description of new developments such as sides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids is quite bioengineering. extensive, including sections on the deterAs is inevitable with a text of this sort, the mination of RNA and DNA seauences and authors have sacrificed some rieor. and inthed~rmicalsynrhrsisoi~)~~.'i'h~srhapter cludrd ngrrar dealot practical, h:;tu;iml, and lays a tirm four>dntiontor suh~cqurr~t disen\,~n,nnirntalirltorn~ation,in order ro make cuasion 01 " m d r r ~ l a rbidugy" sPrth,n 3,. the material readable and accessible to its Section 2 covering metabolism is presented intended audience. The attractive graphics, in traditional order (high energy compounds, among which are a number of cartoons, range glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosfrom very perceptive and teachable (pp. 265, phorylation, carbohydrates, photosynthesis,
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A168
Journal of Chemical Education
lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides) with one exception. Prior to the discussion of glycolysis, a chapter covering the design andregulation of metabolic pathways is presented. This chapter provides a general overview of reedation mechanisms and serves the twical , n s a n ewrllcnt inlrrductlm 111 ip~rit'l,exa m p l ~ athar fullmv. As w u h the first srctiun ith he IWI,the mr~ahulismsection is hravily annotated with mechanisms and structures although the use of stereoviews is reduced greatly due to the limited number of structures available. The third section focuses on "molecular biology" covering DNA replication and transcription and translation and regulation of gene expression. These chapters are well written although not as detailed as in some texts. Overall this is a first-rate text, heavily facused on the chemistry and structures of biological compounds and reactions. Most chapters have a good selection of thoughtprovoking problems that illustrate the concepts developed. A solutions manual is available hut was not reviewed. Some students may consider Rawn's approach a hit on the dry side due to the foeus on the chemistry and structure of biological molecules. Nevertheless. R a m nresents a clear and detailed luok at h a w hiorhrmirrry and his t,mk senlps a s m rxccllrnt rrfrnnrr source. Michael A. Cusanovich University of Arizona
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Tucson, AZ 85721
