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
9, Sepfember 1963
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BOOK REVIEWS includes sections in: ( I ) Chemicnl and Physical Properties, ( 2 ) Procedure, (3) Analytical Methods, ( 4 ) Calcnl~ltion,( 5 ) Validity, (6) Precision, (7) Cltmrnent,~, and (8)Normal Values. Chapter 2, Techniques of Vasrular Perfusion (Engene M. Renkin), armt,ains a good descript,im of principles and equipment, and an annotated summary of eomplet,e perfusion syetems. Chapter 3, The Oxygen Cathode (Philip W. Ihvies), has an interesting historical m d theoretical introduction. I.:lect,rode chnraeterist,ics such as residual rurrent and speed of response are discussed in detail. A num-
ber uf elect,rodes and several applications are described; however, t i m e two rhaptera emphasize principles and methodology more t,hm specific applications. This emphasis is important since the litrrature frequently contains detailed information on a specific application ratl~erthan a fundamental diseussim of principles. Clmpter 4, Svme Physical Techniques Used in the Study of k:xternnl Respiration (A. B. Otis), includes seet,ions on the description and application of pressure, volume, and flow procedures. A final seetian devcrihes tho methods available for analyzing gases. This section is not a n exhaustive discussion; however, references to more detailed discussions are included.
I n Chapter 5, Marvin Margoshes has written s good introduction to Rsme plrotometry. This chapter includes principles, monochrometers, detectors, applications, internal standards, and recent developments. An excellent discussion of errors is included. This discussion will be of value t o the investigat,or. Tlre find chapter, Ultrasound: Analysis and Experimental Methods in Biological Research (William .T. Frv and Floyd Dunn), contains a detailed theoretical discussion of ultrasound. The section on biological applications is particularly interesting. Many investigators use high acoustic energy levels t o disrupt cellular structures. The application of low acoustic energy levels in the visualization of micro and macrostructure is a recent and important area of research. In the Int,roduction, the editor Ruggests that, this hook was designed t o instruct, well qualified graduat,e students and euperienced investigators entering a new field. Thus details and comments, the ". . invaluable special knowledge that, sometimes never finds its way into soientifir literature," are included. There is no doubt that the vrtriaus authors have adhered to this philosophy and produced a volume of real merit and value for the investigator in biological research.
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])AVID
G. CORNWELL
Ohio State Lrnive7sity Columhtrs Comprehensive Biochemistry. Volume 1, Atomic a n d Molecular Structure Edited by M a d Plorkin, University of Liege, Belgium, and Elnwr H. Stotr, University of Rochester, New York. American Elsevier Publishing Co., New York, 1962. xi 2.53 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23 em. $9.50 (if purchasing series); $11.50 (single COPY). Volume 3, Methods for t h e Study of Molecules XI11 +324pp. 611.30 (series); $14.50 (single copy).
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Volume 4, Separation Methods XI11 f 282 pp. (single cop.vl.
$10.50 (series); $13.
Tlre over-all organization of "Comprehensive Biochemistry" entails five major sections: Physieo-Chemical and Organir Aspects of Biochemistry, Chemistry of Biological Compounds, Biochemical Reartion Mechanisms, Metabolism, and Chemical Biology. Volume 4, reviewed here with Volumes 1 and 3 (see J. CHEM. ED., 40, A226 I19631 for 8. review of Volume 21, completes the first section of this srlvanced treatise. Volume 1 contains four chapters drvoted to structure, beginning with an excellent review of atomic structure and of the electronic theory of organic molecules. The third chapter, by J. D. Bernal, treating the physical and chemical aspects of the structure oi the major dasses of bioehemiexl molecules, is exceptional not only because of its extensivr bibliography, but also with regard to wdlchosen diagrams and electron-microscope photographs. The final rhitpter of Volunlr (Continued on page A6751
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Journal o f Chemical Education
