BOOK REVIEWS Because of its outline nature the book is not intended to be t h e only resource in a polymer course a t the senior lcvcl. Howw e r , when supplemented by additional tnnterial in lacture and with use of the c,xt,ensive references by the students this seems the best general text on polymer wience available. I t would also be s very useful starting place for one interc.st,cd in a general survey of the polymer lield. One wonders again, why American scientific books are uniformly so expensive. However, in this case, i t is money well spent. THOMAS E. F E E ~ N G T O N W . R. Glace and Co. Clarksudle, n f ~ y l a n d The Enzymes. Volume 6, Group Trans. fsr: Syntheses Coupled to ATP Cleavage
Edited by Paul D. Royer, University of Minnaota, Minneapoli& H m r y Lardy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, s n d Kad Myrbaek, University of Stockholm, Sweden. 2nd ed. Academic Press, Ine., New York, 19G2. xx 684 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $20.
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I t seems almost unnecessary t o bring this sixth volume of a. series which began to appear in 19.59 t o the attention of interested readern. The second edition of "Tho Enzymes" is indispensable t,o researrh workers in enzymology, or any other branch of biochernistw. Unfortunately, such definitive works sometimes make wonderful refcwnce tools hut poor reading. Tlie editors and authors are t o be commended for their effortsto maintain n ~cnerallvhigh level of readability, even in chapters full of facts and data. The prcsent volume covers enzyme ca,tdyzed transfer of phosphoryl, amino, amide and acyl groups, glycosidic bond exchange, ncyl group activation and synthesis coupled with A T P cleavage. Tbore are n number of summary chapters, roughly an the topics mentioned above, and ahout twenty further chapters devoted t o specific onzvnlos or aroups . . of cnzymes of these twes. I'l~asphoryl Gmup Trmsfpr by R. h'mdlie and H. 1,ardv summarizes with great detail and t h o k g h n e s s the material presented in about hall of the vnhmle. The most chemically oriented chapters are those hy W. 1'. Jencks on acyl group transfer and auyl gnrup sctiwtion. They lucidly expound the reactions in qorztjon and are spiced wit,h a number of provocative examplrs f m m the binchemical literature. Jenr:k gently, but firmly, re-evaluates the concept of "high mcrgy" bonds in terms of sound physiealchemical principles. The most imposing chapter is ATP-Creatine Transphosphorylase by S. A. Kuby and E. A. Noltmann. It abounds in kinetic expressions and ends in a flourish of computer data neatly photo-oilset on six p s g m I t is instructive t o compare the impressive algebra and the detailed calculations with
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BOOK REVIEWS the brief and rather vaglue statements on mechanism of setion. The comparison emphasizes the enormous problem involved in attempting t o extract mesningful information from a system whieh contains at, least six components. The general plan of this series has been continued. Each chapter is written by an active research worker in that particular ares. The coverage is sometimes more intensive than extensive. This results in a more uniform presentation and avoids a particular review article approach which can result in uncritical presentation of a mass of references. The difference between a discussion which uses refemnees to illustrate a specific point and one whieh simply abstracts the literature is brought nut clearly in 8. few elrapt,ers whwe some miscellan~nus,or recent, data is touched on after the main subject. This volume of "The Enzymes,'' like ita rompanions, illustrates t h e present state of knowledge in this research area. A great deal of information has been obtained about the chemical, physical and hiologieal behwiovior of enzyme systems. Much af i t has been gathered within the last decade, since the first edition was published. I n contrast t o the older work, the more recent information has been nbtnined under carefully controlled conditions, t o provide quantitative data on kinetics, physical parameters and so forth. Yet, despite this effort, no sntisfactory explanation of the specificity and mechanism of action of a single enzyme is available. GEORGEE. H E ~ N Boston University Roslon, Massarhzrsctts Physical Techniques in Biological Research. Volume IV, Special Methods
Edited by William L. Nmluk, Columbia University, College of Physicians and S~~rgeans.Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1962. xii 410 pp. Figs. and t,ables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $13.
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This book, the fourth volume in the "Physical Techniques in Biological Research" series, contains many examples of the highly specialized methodology that is now available t o the physiologist, binphysicist, and biochemist. I t is diflirult far one individual to review adequately areas as diverse as vascular perfusion, Hame photometry, and ultrasound. Indeed, it is unlikely that an." one inveut,igator will be interested in all the topias discussed. However, the special metltods collected in thia volume are not minor or peripheral and i t isequally unlikely that an investi~atorin biological research will not find this volume of considerable value. Chapt,er 1, Determination of Body Fluid Volumes (Sue Chicn and Magnus I. Gregerson), is an outstanding introduction to the subject. Principles and procedures are reviewed with clarity and in detail. Numerous specific methods are described. The discussion of each method (Continued on page A674) Volume 40, Number
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