book reviews hook will certainly benefit from the "how and why'' approach. The fint five chapters (from a total of eleven) consbitute a basic review of mathem~tical principles, m i t s and dimensional analysis, chemical stoiehiometry, and methods of expressing roncentrations of solutions. The section on mathematics eont,ains special emphasis on exponents and logarithms. One of the deficiencies of the book is found here, namely, the lack of any fundamental cenleulus. For example, there is no analysis given to the notion of the derivative of a funotion and its physical interpretation as an expression of rate of change. This particular inadequacy is compounded by subsequent use of the dy/dz notation and the rate of change concept within the chapters on kinetics and radioisotopes. An attempt to introduce and develop this principle when i t is needed in the chapter otl kinetics is not soccessful. The student who is already mystified by or ignorant of these fundamental concepts of cdcleuluu will remain so after using the book. They are simply not covered. This section is also deficient in that it unfortunately does not include any treatment of elementary I statistics relevant to the practical problems of the biological sciences. ; The troublesome problem of solution I concentration and methods for expressing it is dealt with in a satisfactory manner. The chapter is primarily devoted to the percent method of expression with specid emphasis given to the problems of interconverting and adjusting concentrations. Unfortunately, the principles of normality and chemical equivalency are given limited and inadequate treatment. The remaining three fourths of the book deals with subjects more specific to the intended andienee: these include hydrogen ion equilhri~and buffers, spectrophotometry and related procedures, yields and recoveries, enzyme assays, methods of separation, and isotopic methods. All areas are treated adequately in terms of the overall design of the book. However, there is only s. minute amount of ; space devoted to the pertinent area, of swibterionic buffers from t,he standpoint 1 of both theory and calculations. By far i the best section of the entire book is the ) last chapter dealing with isotopic methods. I t is also the largest single chapter and actually constit~ttesonefifth of the complete hook. I t contains an excellent presentation of the philosophy of tracer studia, of basic theory, of units and measuhnents of radioketivity, and of the experimental anatomy of 8. metabolic tracer study. These chapters corrtitote the general utility of the book for any st,udent in the biochemical science*, particularly those enrolled hr laboratory courses. I t is also in the last six chapters where the writing ability of Finlayson is most evident. The most striking eharacte~.iatieof hi8 style is the clarity which is achieved with a paucity of words. This writing style plus the detailed analysis of sample ealeulatioris or of hypothetical, practical situatioris contributes to the book's ea5.y
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readihility and high level of functionality. The author's intention to write a eomprehensive and useful book is further evidenced by an appendix which includes a list of ~ymbolsand abbreviations and also an extensive glossary with approximately 250 terna. I t is finally reflected in a, twenty-two page index which contains approximately 2200 entries. A4ost chapters are followed by smdl listinm of supplemental readings consisting of both primary literature articles and general sources. I n addition all chapters are followed by a collectinn of problems with all answers provided. The problems msociated with the lwt few chapters are parLicularly ~.elevnnt to the hiological scient ist. Despite same of the shortcomings listed above, the author ha? admirably fulfilled his objective. "Bsic Bioehemical Cslculations" would be a relevant and functional supplement to formal courses in descriptive biochemistry and in addit,iou can be used a.an independent, source of study. I t is a welcome additionunique in its own right-to a small number of works that illustrate in a. basic wav some of the quantitative aspect3 of hiochemistry.
It. C. B o ~ m s a ~ John Carroll Unirersily Cleveland, Ohio An Introduction to the Structure of Biological Molecules
J . M . Barry, University of Oxford, England, and E. M. Barru. PrenticeHall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 190 pp. Figs. and tables. 1969. ix 15 X 23 cm. Softbound. $4.95.
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This book is written in an easy to read and refreshing style and I would certainly rrcomrn~t.di
