T h e Hydrophobic Effect: Formation of Micelles a n d Biological Membranes, 2 n d Edition Charles Tanford, John Wiley & Sons, Somerset. NJ, 1980. v 232 pp. 23.7 X 1 5 8 cm. $18.50. ~
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This new and slightly enlarged edition was prepared to present a clearer and updated exposition of the principles that govern selfassembly of molecules that contain hydrophobic groups, especially in regard to the formation of biological structures such as proteins and lipid bilayers. This work, like the first edition, is a terse and readable chemist's account that organizes the most significant physical chemical studies in this field into a coherent picture. The first ten chapters on the solubility of hydrocarbons and amphiphiles in water and organic solv e n t ~ temperature , effect, water structure, micelle size, shape, and thermodynamics, and monolayers emphasize physical principles with relevant examples. T h e last seven chapters demonstrate the application of these principles to biological systems, including lipids, protein, and lipoprotein structures. Much of the material in the excellent first edition has been retained without revision. The new material added in general refines the original concepts. Some new data is presented and other work is updated with new references. As with the first edition, this book does not attempt to he comprehensive and as such has a definite personal flavor to it. Many of the examples are taken from work done in the author's laboratory and in that of his colleague, J. R. Reynolds, who collaborated in the preparation of the chapter on serum lipoproteins. T h e selectivity of the author in citing work precludes, for example, any discussion of the general criticism of the h y ~ drophobie effect mounted by J. H. H i l d e ~ brand a t the University of California a t Berkeley (see for example Proc Not1 Acad. Sei. USA, 76,194,1979). In spite of this, this hook remains the best single exposition of the hydrophobic effect.
STEVEN CLARKE University of California at Los Angeles LO*Angeles. CA 90024 Quantitative Toxicology V. A. Filov, A. A. Golubev, E. i. Llublina, and N A. Tolokontsev, John Wiley 8 Sons, New York, 1979. xvii 262 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $32.50.
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Quantitative Toxicology is an English translation of a book which originally appeared in Russian in 1973. Following each chapter, a 1978 addendum has been added; most references in the addenda are from 1974-1976. "Quantitative" in the title could perhaps be translated "theoretical," inasmuch as the overall aim of the hook appears to be a n attempt to lay a theoretical base upon which predictions regarding toxic potential of chemicals may be made without extensive biological examination. T h e book is noteworthy for its extensive coverage of the Russian literature, which tends to be otherwise ignored. Since Soviet toxicologists have been effectively active along paths which contrast sharply with those practiced in the West, the book affords valuable broadening perspective.
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Journal of Chemical Education
The work consists of eight chapters. Organism-Poison Interactions represents a complete but standard coverage of effects of such parameters ss species, sex, temperature, and route of administration on tonic effects. Dose-Resoonse Relationshins oresents the
on dose-time curves; both deserve careful attention. The chapter on Toxicant Distribution deals mainly with the well-known Ferguson Principle and with its applications to toxicology. Beginning in this chapter and recurring throughout the remainder of the book extensive efforts are made to correlate toxic potential with chemical properties of chemicals. It appears a major defect in the work is that nogeneral theme emerges. Some correlations (mostly among closely related homologous series) are successful, but others are not, and one does not receive any indication whv this should be the ease. Thus.
time. T h e chapter on Kinetics Effects incorporates an interestingly different section on mathematical modeling and a n extensive addendum covering the rapidly emerging field of toxicokineties. Since relatively few applications of the latter have been made, many of the illustrative examples are wellknown effects of drugs. T h e subject of Cumulation of Poisons is covered in a short chapter, the most notable feature of which is a discussion of Kagan's Cumulation Constant approach to the subject. I t is often the ease that people are exposed to more than onenoison simultaneouslv. and t h r ncl rc-ult
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