book reviews Blochemistry
Lubert Stryer, Yale University. W . H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, California, 1975. xiv 877 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 20.5 cm. $19.95.
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This hook representing another general biochemistry teat presents a somewhat different and in my opinion useful approach t o the area. Dr. Stryer has divided his text into five major sections: I. Conformation (30%) 11. Generation and Storage of Metabolic Energy (26%) 111. Biosynthesis of Macromolecular precursors (9%) IV. Information (21%) V. Molecular Physiology (14%). Part I-Conformation-is primarily focused on the relation of structure and function in proteins. After a general introduction to proteins and their properties, hemoglobin and myoglohin are discussed in considerable depth with an entire chapter devoted to allasterism in hemoglobin. This is followed by an excellent discussion of sickle cell anemia, then three chapters on enzymes and a chapter on collagen and elastin. The section concludes with an excellent introduction to biol o g i d memhranes. The first section sets the tone ofthe hook and does an excellent jab of establishinga basic understanding ofproteins and their action. The approach used here in focusing on a few selected examples (hemoglobin, myoglobin, lysozyme, carboxypeptidase, collagen, and elastin) allows clarification of the basic principles without confusing the student with the multitude of enzymes Part I1 covers the basics of metabolism including glycolysis, citric acid cycle, axidative phosphorylation, gluconeogenesis, and ~hotasvnthesis.This section. althoueh not as
thesis of membrane lipids, steroids, amino acids, and nucleotides. These topics are covered adequately and clearly. Part IV-Information-is an excellent dcimption oisturage, rmnsmiurion, and e x presslon of genetic mformnrion. The areas wvered me c l e a r l ~explilmed wirh excellent
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illustrations t o clarify the concepts. Part V-Molecular Physiology-contains chapters on immunoglobulins, bacterial cell wall, membrane transport, excitable membranes, hormone action and muscle contraction, and cell motility. These chapters are well written and serve to demonstrate the principles derived in the previous sections. This book is well written, with ausefd and somewhat different approach (structure and function relationship). The strengths of the book are clarity and the extensive and eacellent use of figures. I was particularly impressed with Dr. Stryer's approach of developing a specific area in historical perspective and then clearly establishing the conclusions. The figures and the excellent use of color in them greatly facilitate understanding the text. The problems given are good and the references excellent. In terms of weakness, the book omits some of the detail included in other biochemistry textbooks in regards to methodology and some specific enzyme systems. However, in my view this is a plus as this material can be supplemented in lectures and its absence does not detract from the understanding by the student of the hiological processes discussed. Overall this is a well written, very readable hook which is highly recommended by this reviewer for graduate and medical school general biochemistry. Michael A. Cusanovich University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721
An Introduction to Biochemical Reactlon Mechanisms
James N. Lowe, The University of the South, and Lloyd L. Ingraham, University of California a t Davis. Prentice-Hall. Inc.., New Jersey. xi 145 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.95.
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"An Introduction to Biochemical Reaction Mechanisms" by Lowe and Ingraham is an up-dated version of a former special topics
book entitled "Biochemical Mechanisms" by Ingraham. According to the authors the new text is designed as a supplement in an organic or biochemistry undergraduate course. In the new version there is less emphasis on general mechanistic principles of organic and inorganic chemistry, hut instead the actual biochemical section is considerably increased. The text is kept, however, quite compact and is divided into seven well organized and clearly written chapters. It foeuses on a small number of basic, well-known biochemical features and deals specifically with enzymes, high-energy compounds, pyridoxd and Schiff bases, acetyl coenzyme A and lipoic acid, coenzyme function and design (flavins and thiamine), catalysis by protein functional groups, and metal ions in hiochemistry, Some chemical theory is briefly introduced when needed, hut in general the student should already have a solid background in organic as well as inorganic chemistry to completely understand some of the chapters of the new text. One nice feature is the references given a t the end of each chapter, some of which are as recent as 1973. The text contains some minoramhiguities, but the number is not excessive far a completely revised book. This text can he strongly recommended as an excellent euide for seniors or as a manageable self-study book for graduates interested in biological chemistry. Albert M. Bobst University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
Mastering Chemistry
Gwuld M ' . (Ahson, CollegeofCharlert~,n. W. H. 5aunders Company, Phdadriphia, 1975. Figs and ulhle*. x T 468 pp. 24 5 X 16 cm. An important step for the student in an introductory chemistry class is learning how to solve chemical problems. The solution of these problems requires, in addition to a knowledge of mathematics, a grasp of a number of important chemical concepts and principles. One problem in mast introductory courses is a lack of time for the student to gain knowledge and proficiency by practice. The objective of Dr. Gibson's manual is t o (Continued o n page A344
Reviewed in this Issue
Lubert Stryer, Biochemistry James N . Lowe and Lloyd L. Ingraham, An Introduction to Biochemical Reaction Mechanisms Gerald W Gibson, Mastering Chemistry Charles Wilkins, Charles Klopfenstein, Thomas L. Isenhour, and Peter C . Jurs, Introduction t o Computer Programming for Chemists. Basic Version Galen .W. Ewing, Instrumental Methods of Analysis. Fourth Edition Charles S. Johnson and Lee G.Pederson, Problems and Solutions in Quantum Chemistry and Physics Henry I. Bolker, Natural and Synthetic Polymers Robert P. Multhauf. The Origins of Chemistry
Reviewer Michael A. Cusanovitch Albert M. Bohst Donald F. Logsdon, Jr. George Brubaker Donald G. Davis Don McLaughlin David A. Brant Ralph E. Oesper
Volume 53.Number 8, August 1976 1 A343
book reviews meet this need far practice in solvingchemical problems. The book is arranged as a self-teaching manual consisting of 19 sets of prohlems of gradually increasing complexity which the student can work a t his or her own pace. Within each set, problems are grouped around one or more important chemical concepts or ideas. Each question is followed immediately by an answer. In the ease of mare complex questions, the method for arriving a t the answer is described in detail. One important feature presented is the "OEIOU (one equation in one unknown) approach" to problem solving, an approach which teaches the student to solve problems in a logical, orderly fashion. This bookshould be a highly usefuladjunct to the basic textbooks used in an introductory chemistry course, and for use away from the regularly scheduled classes. All students will benefit from the approach used but serious students will find it hoth interesting and valuable. Dr. Gibson has prepared a highly useful book which should be carefully considered for possible use by those teaching chemistry a t the introductory level. Donald F. Loasdon. Jr
130. " . . rhc linal rrsponsihilicy for error drrrcrion lirc wirh rhc user of rhr program. who must scrutinize the output todetermine whether it makes sense." The goal of the text is, of course, to make the programmer and the user one. And, on p. 402, in the context of program debugging (but equally applicable elsewhere in the text-indeed, anytime the student is interacting with the computer), "Those who need the most practice will he sure to get it!" This reviewer believes that a student will obtain a clearer understanding of the chemistry and mathematics, and of the assumptions usually invoked in numerical solutions, by explaining the problem to a machine (programming) than by hand calculating a few problems. Part 111 contains a brief introduction t o binary arithmetic, a glossary of computer terms (further helping to forestall a ''snow job" at the computer center), and wrhaps the most useful feature, a guide to program optimization (to which the authors should refer more frequently in earlier sections). Theappendix (Dl on program trouhle-shooting emphasizes the differences between batch and on-line operation. There is a useful hibliography, and a comfortably complete index to both the chemistry and programming discussed in the text. Though the book is reproduced directly from type copy and has a cheap look about it, it is quite error free (exceptions include: steo . 2...o. 22:. error in Basic expression, p. 40; tab error, p. 73; confusion of molal with molar, p. 148; buffer definition, ~
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This text meets its stated ends; i t should become a landmark in chemistry, computing, and chemical education. I suggest that every chemistry student should obtain a copy for self study a t the beginning of his second year-and the teacher should consider having his own copy.
Scmh ('andinn: nnd 6'mr.r C .lure. The Pennsylvania State University. Alyn and Bacon, Boston, 1974. Figs. and tables. 23 X 18.5 cm. riii 414 pp. $7.95.
George Brubaker iilinois InstiMe of Technology Chicago. illinois 60616
Introduction to Computer Programming For Chemists. Basic Version
Chark\
.. .,i:ins. Universitvof Nebraska:~.
f ' m r l u ~Kiop/mclrcn.
Ilnivrr-ity o f O w
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This bookis written for theundergraduate chemistry student and based on the premise that ". . . programming is the only way t o learn to program." I t is rather similar to the earlier Fortran oriented book, "Introduction to Computer Programming for Chemists," by two of the present authors, in its organization and content. Apart for the obvious difference in programming language, the present volume also dwells extensively on interactive computing. The hook is divided into three sections: Part I covers computer architecture, characteristics and logic, and flow charting and computer languages, in just enough detail to protect a novice reader from a "snow job" by the eomouter's caretaker. The author's in-
the reader is reminded that exact interpretation depends an bath the machine and the installation, and that the aforementioned caretaker ultimately has the last word. Part I1 contains 52 oroerams with varied concepts and programming requirements. The description of the chemistry component of each exercise is sufficient to fully justify the title of the book. The writeup isgenerally clear, and sprinkled with truisms as, on p. A344 1 Journal of Chemical Education
Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis. Fourth Edition
Galen W Ewing, Seton Hall University. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New Yark, 1975. viii + 560 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 16.5 cm. $18.95. This hook is the new editionof astandard textbook for seniors or beginning graduate students. This edition has been improved by the addition of chapters on electron speetroseopy and automated analysis. Expanded coverage on magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy aver the third edition has been included. This is a very readahle text and should be considered for any instrumental analysis text. The simple treatment given most topics is the main disadvantage of this text. In the electrochemistry section there is essentially no discussion on liquid junction potentials, ir drop, or overvoltage. Nothing is shown about haw to plot potentiometric titration curves and there is a lack of applications of potentiometry. The section on conductivity shows no titration curves and electrogravimetry is left out entirely. There is some good (Continued an page A3461
