reviews T h e Biological C h e m i s t r y of t h e Elements: T h e Inorganic Chemistry of Life J. J.'R. Frausto da Siiva and R. J. F! Wiarns.Oxiord University Press: New York, NY, 1991. xxxi + 561 pp. Flgs. and tables. 20.5 x 26 cm. $75.
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This o a e~hto the suhiect of hiachem- - - ~ -hnok - ~ orpsents r~ a novel ~ ~ a~ - o r~ ~ " istry, which is both interesting and fascinating. Instead of the (now) traditional approach of many standard treatises on biachemistry; i.e., the main molecular players and their metabolism dlacus;ed essentially from the srnnrlpoint of orgmic rhrmlrrr). the authors h a w prrscnred the hmchemwal world fmm the prrspeetlw nf the elements and include all uf the elemcnrs found in &ing systems. As may he expected, it does have somewhat of a bias toward inorganic chemistry as admitted by We authors, hut this is justified, and I agree, in order to compensate for the above mentioned traditional aooroach. However. the haok does not eloss aver the biochemistry; key topics such as t h e ~ a + ~ + p u am n;pthe photosystems of chloroplasts, for example, are given sufficient treatment to satisfy most biochemists. The book is organized logically into three major parts, each consisting of several chapters. Part I (7 chapters) concerns the 'ehemi d and ~hvslcalfactors that control the elements of life'. This includes the reasons for the selections of those elements used in living systems, how they are taken up, separation and eompartmentation, the production of energy, chemical flow, and the rales of the hioloeical macromolecules. This section is ~articularlvenlighrrning ;nd preaenrs hlouhemlitry from an unu+ual per&t l v e Pert I 1 11 clmptcra is concerned \r,irh rhr rolci of rhr ~ndividualelmwnti, rhrmirnlly ltnked rlcmenrs such RP ~ n d w m and chlorine, and magnesium and phosphorous are sensibly ineluded together rather than in separate sections. The more prominent metals, namely, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese eaeh merit their own separate chapters. Nickel and cobalt are combined into a single chapter as are molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten. Sulfur, selenium, and halogens, considered as redox nonmetals compose a separate chapter, thereby distinguishing them from silicon and boron, and from the anions phosphate and chloride, which are considered acidfbase nonmetals and are included in their own chapter. This section essentially ewers all the roles and functions of eaeh of these elements, even though these functions may not he related other than by the participation of the particular element. Nevertheless, i t is a useful compendium of information. In Part I11 (3 chapters) the authors attempt to integrate t h e functions of t h e elements and include t h e effect of minerals on biological shapes. The final chapter is concerned with the effects of the applied use of chemicals in industry and agriculture and its effects in the bioloeieal environment. I am not -urc uf tlw timrt~onsof rhis hnok. I douhr that it could he uacd ns the primnr) rexrhook for a course m btwhem~stry.In ~
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Journal of Chemical Education
f a d , if as some academic chemists maintain, a true textbook per se should include problems a t the end of each chapter, then this bwk does not fit the bill. I t could he used a s the basis for a n advanced course in inorganic biochemistry or inorganic chemistry. Certainly practicing scientists from either biochemistry or inorganic chemistry would find this haok a valuable source for relevant information regarding the impact of the other discipline on their own. As a biochemist, I certainly did. For a person working a t the interface of inorganic chemistry and biochemistry, this hook will be extremely valuable. For others it will be an excellent reference to have a t hand. In fact, i t proved its usefulness when a geochemist colleague employed a t a n oil company requested information on the biochemistry of chromium. By reference to this book I was quickly able to ohtain same f a d s for him. The book is well written and understandable, although its appearance, with all monotone diagrams, is rather bland in these days of multicolored diagrams found in most contemporary hiochemistry texts. The material is not referenced, but the reader is directed to further reading a t the end of each chapter. This is composed primarily of recent reviews or other monographs with s few primary citations. A comprehensive subject index is provided. Edward Bellion Ln vers ty of Texas at Arl nglon Arl nglon. TX 76019
