book reviews Two supplemmtal books are available. The "Student's Manual" contains worked out answers to textbook 1,nrblems as well asother study materials. The s e c ~ n dhook, "Organic Nomenclature: A I'nurarnmed Study Guide" is a well planned pnrgrammed approach designed to help the student master the basic aspects of organic nomenclature. Robert A. Scharnbach Whinier College Whinier. Calilornia 90608
Physical Biochemistry
l h i d Fwi/cldcr, Brandeis University. W. H. l h e m s n and Cu., San Francisco, 1976. n + 570 pp. Figures and tales. 16 X 24 cm. 916.95 M d w n biochemistry and muleeular biolvgy haveevolved from a variety of disciplines,
which partially avxrunts for the wide range oI'n-irnrch instrunrentetim presently used. The Ilpd~ingl~iorhrmistis frequently overrvhdnlrd hy the variety ol' sophisticated phy4c,al methods and techniques used and desrrihd in the current literature. T o und c r a t ; d a paper frequently requires consider:ihle time on the part of the reader in seilwhing imt ndditim;il rderences that describe the methodulogy! As such, there has existed n great need for a practical physical 1,i~tchemistrytext that describes physical methuds in some detail, givestheir scopeand limitutions, along with a number of working
A1 10 I Journal of Chemical Education
examples: This text does that-and more. Starting with an introductory chapter on the Characterization of Macromolecules, Freifelder briefly defines the terminology and concepts that are used in examining the properties and shapes of macromolecules in six subsequent parts. The first, Direct Observation, covers light and electron mierascopy from simple theory to the backscatter scanning micruscope. His descriptions for preparing samples for the electron microscope are brief, but lucid. A colleague who specializes in the art of electron microscopy was quite favorably impressed with this first section. The second part covers General Laboratory Methods, including measurement of pH, radioactive labeling and counting, autaradiography, and membrane filtration and dialysis. His description of the practical problems encountered with tris buffers (e.g. concentration and temperature effects) in the chapter on pH are typical of those found throughout the book. The third part examines chromatography, electrophoresis, and immunological methods in 100 pages. While this treatment is nut all-encompassing, the material that is presented is well-chosen, concise. and clearlv written with excellent "me, diffusion, and viscosity are covered in Part IV, folluwed by a section on spectroscopic methods (Part V). Here, absorption, flubrescence, optical rotatory dispersion, circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance are described. These two parts of the text would be an excellent basis for an
be fit intoearlier chapters. Thisis fallowed by a brief Glossary and a workable Index. There are references a t the end of each chaoter which are useful and relevent. In teresting aspects of the book are the numerous one-paragraph examples given in each
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w e are currently using the book as a supplementary text in our graduate-level biochemistry courses. It has been received quite favorably by most students. For a virgin edition, the text appears to be remarkably free of minor errors. This is the best practical physical biochemistry book 1 have seen. I t will serve as a handy reference on physical methods for workers in the biological sciences for years to come. I am pleased to have such a book available and recommend it highly. Ivan I. Kaiser Division of Biochemistry University of Wyoming Laramie. Wyoming 8 0 7 1
The Dvnamics of Soectrorconk ~ r a n s k o n s (lllustr&ed : by ~ h ~ n e t i c Resonance and Laser Eftecls)
James D. Macomber, Louisiana State University. .John Wiley & Sans, New York, 1976. xxiv 332 pp. Figures and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $19.95
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In order to set the mood for this text Pro(Continued on page A1 121
book reviews
dition to any mathematically oriented reference. M. L. Parsons Arizona Stare Univmity Temm. Arizona 85281
fessor Maeomber begins the Preface with the following quote from Werner Heisenberg, "Even for the physicist [a] description in plain language will be a criterion of the degree of understanding that has been reached." I feel that the author has succeeded in his efforts t o write a "plain language" textbook exceedingly well. The first five chapters provide a lucid introduction into the modern theory of spectroscopic transitions with a very readable comparison of these techniques with the classical approach. In my opinion this discussion is one of the better features of the book. In practical applications the use of magnetic applications is quite good and Chapter 7 is a generalization t o all spectroscopic transitions. This is possibly the weakest chapter; however, considering its ambitious nature, the result is a t least within the framework of the intended audience, i.e. "advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate sutdents, and practicing research scientists who use spectroscopy as a tool." The final chapter deals with the increasingly important phenomena of two-level quantum systems. The author provides referenees and problems a t the end of eachchapter. He also pravides a "Key to Symbols" a t the beginning of the work which believe is an important ad-
A112 I Journal of Chemical Education
Inorganic Aspects of Biological and Organic Chemistry
very interesting to read. I recommend i t to anyone interested in learning the role metals can play in chemical reactions or as a good reference book on bioinorganic chemistry. The book covers the basic fundamentals in bonding and electrochemistry in enough detail to allow intelligent interpretation of the many observations discussed in the book. Metals are recognized as of primary importance in both organic and biological reactions. This book is an excellent source of information on the new and rapidly enpanding role that metals play in modern chemistry.
Robert P. H a m l i k , University of Kansas.
Everly B. Fleischer University of Califomla, lrvine irvine, California 92717
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Academic Press, New York, 1976.xvii 402 pp. Figures and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $37
This book presents the various roles metal ions ean play in chemistry. It rovers the range of most metal ions (Li+ to MaV) and includes wide coverage of systems from completely organic reactions (cuhane reorganizations catalyzed by metal ions) to very comolicated bioloeieal (membranes - svstems . and'metalloenzyme structure and mechanism). The book has good references to the recent literature and has a wide hut not always deep coverage of subjects. I t is a book that will be a very good source for teachers looking for examples of involvement ofmetal ions in chemical reactions. It would be a very good text or source hook far a course a t the uooer division undereraduate or beeinnine graduntccourses in inwganir or hiuinoqnnlc c hrmiatry. T h r bmk is well writren and ir IS
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Foundations of Biophysics A. L. Stanford, Jr. Georgia Institute of Technology. Academic Press, New York, 1975.x 392 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 16 cm. $19.50.
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An accurate title far this book would be, "Topics in Elementary Biology from the Viewpoint of a Physicist." The first ten chapters describe areas of biology such as genetics, transport across membranes, hearing, etc. in a way that would appeal t o a physicist. Typical physical calculations are introduced on such topics as the diffusionof molecules in cells or standing waves in a resonant acoustic cavity. The last three chapters discuss a variety of biophysical techniques (Continued on page A 1 1 4
