Chemistry a n d t h e Living Organism Molly M Blwmfieid,John Wiley 8 Sons. Inc.. New York, NY, 2nd Ed., 1980. This textbook and companion materials might be considered as an alternate one-year high school course with some modifications. The introductory, chemical hackground, and organic parts of the textbook are appropriate for the high school. The biochemical part is not narmall? taught in the high school, and to use this material, the teacher would need some course work in biochemistry, and good organic backeround. and some hiolozv. " -" One unique feature of this textbook is the attempt to relate chemical principles to larger societal issues. The introductory chapter is a case history a f a family in which the parents are genetic carriers ofphenylketonuria (PKU) trait. In this case history, this problem is explored and an explanation is given as to how it was eventually resolved. This introduction sets the style and format for the entire hook. The beeinnine of eaeh subseauent e h a ~ t e has r a case historv that
to write a hook that.is student oriented. Many of the problems and exercises a t the end of the chapters are written in a way that relates chemistry to medical problems, e.g., partial pressure prohlems become the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood stream. The mathematics required for these materials is the same as in the high school course: metric conversions, mole calculations, exponents, gas law problems and the like. The reading level is grade 12, using the Fry technique. The special features described help lo make the textbook very readable. In addition, the supplementary student guide has many helpful selfcheck tests for eaeh section of the 22 rhaoters. experiments (a unique feature); clear and concise procedures and purposes; safety precautions which are outlined and spaced to set them off and emphasize their importance; data tables and report forms: exercises and nroblems. The first 13 exoeriments which relate t o the chemical back'ground and organic part; of the text are appropriate for a high school laboratory; however, the experiments related to the biochemistry part would require serious study before being used with high school students. The author indicated that the teacher's guide contains answers ta all problems and exercises in the textbook and manual, a list of chemicals and equipment for the laboratory, and hints for various laboratory preparations. This is an important consideration for high school teachers. This course fits into the high school curriculum sequence. The content relates to many topics studied in high school biology, which is generally taken the year before chemistry. In addition, much of the biochemistry is related to large molecules, which is a very current topic. Serious consideration ought to be given to these materials by high school instructors looking for an alternate way to teach high school chemistry. JOHN
R. KRIKAU Larkin HS
find this section useful. The text isvery readable and there are plenty of exercises and reactions to work. These sections on hiochemistry are rather detailed but would be a good reference for advanced chemistry and advanced biology courses. There are a number of good applications on enzymes, chemotherapy, and the molecular basis for diabetes. The author "treats" a number of diseases as chemical systems. There is a final chapter dealing with radioactivity and nuclear chemistry. Many figures and tables highlight the text. The key wards are in bold face (dark print) and the author provides a number of examples of the phenomena discussed. Each chapter is followed by a list of selected readings from various books and articles. Those in the organic and biochemistrv sections contains a eood list of references on the . t i t u l .r.t:.m ~ t w r c dI* IW.: r.,r I ~ l $m:,~~! ~ t I \ \ I > L s I Ia r c c ~ ~ > , t . i < ~ . l ? ~ ~ e r tinem n t m t nccwr.,:r tnr 3tudcnr rc .,!ly 1, think ghwt \> hnt he or ..he has read. This text would be most useful in high school as a reference text on hiochemistry for teachers as well as supplemental reading for ehemistry (organic sections), advanced chemistry (organic and biochemistry sections), and advanced biology (organic and biochemistry sectmns).
Chemistry a n d Life-An Introduction to General, Organic, a n d Biological Chemistry John W. Hilland Dorothy M. Feigl, Burgess Publishing Co., Minneapolis, MN, 1978, $16.95. This text will be an excellent addition to a high school teacher's reference library. Many novel approaches and up-to-date applications are found throughout the text. The content of the traditional topics of a general chemistry course is possibly a bit superficial, but the applications, marginal nates, and diagrams are superb. There is always an attempt to relate a concept to a situation arising in everyday life. Electrostatic attraction is related to "static cling," the quantum absorption of energy to climbing a ladder. The chapter is devoted to nuclear processes is exceptionally well done. The applications and dangers of radiation and nuclear power are explored in detail. The chapter on solution chemistry rlses intravenous solutions as examples in its discussion of solution rtr.ncth . " mThe authors do their best work in the second half of the book which is devoted to organic chemistry and biochemistry. The material is covered well and the aoolication sections are excellent. Each class of organic compounds is & w e d and the practical applications of these compounds is explored. Topics such as tastes, odors, drugs, pesticides, plastics, and biochemistry molecules are discussed. This book will serve as an excellent resource for the high school teacher and a source of supplemental information for the interested student. The lab manual that supplements this tent is average. It does not follow the text well since its experiments follow a more traditional approach. The experiments should be reviewed carefully for any possible safety hazards before using them. ~
PAULT. RUDA Cleveland Hill HS Mapleview Drive Weektowaga. NY 14225
1475 Larkin Ave Elgin, IL 60120
Elements of General and Biological Chemistry JohnR. Holum, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 5th Ed., 1979 with LaboratMy Manual 8 Study Guide. The theme of the book, which the author does carry throughout the text, is "the molecular hasis of life." Part one covers the basics of chemistry-mainly vocabulary and principles. The math is not very detailed, with considerably less emphasis placed on it than would be in a Chem Study text. A number of the principles are illustrated with biological examples. Two particularly effective ones use hypothermia t o illustrate temperature and reaction rate and dialysis ta help explain osmotic pressure. The chapters on bases, .salts, pH, and buffers are more detailed than the previous ones especially in highlighting topics with examples. An esneciallv. eood chemistrv section. - "iob is done with the areanic " High school students who want or need a more rigorous organic background than is usually given in a high school curriculum would
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Chemistry-An Introduction t o General, Organic, a n d Biological Chemistry Joanne M. Widom and Stuad J. Edlestein, W. H. Freeman. San Francisco, CA, 800 pp., $22.95. Study Guide by Saundra Y. McGuire, 307 pp., $7.95. This text and accompanying manuals could be used as a supplementary text fbr first-year high school chemistry. Its most outstanding features in this regard are clear explanations and carefully worked examples. Sample problems are followed by exercises with answers for immediate self-checking.Well-chosen pictures and drawings spark interest and promote comprehension. A student should not have difficulty correlating the material with his or her textbook. While stoichiometrv and macrosconic of matter are resented . nrooerties . . 1Ir.r In this I. n k t h ~ 111111121. p01111 11111 $ 1 ) I l k r11,~11vi..
