Chemical Education Today
Book & Media Reviews Thermodynamics and Kinetics for the Biological Sciences by Gordon G. Hammes Wiley-Interscience: New York, 2000. 153 pp. Figs., Tables, 8 color plates. ISBN 0-471-37491-1. $49.95. reviewed by Vicky Minderhout
This book is designed to introduce biological science students to some of the important concepts of physical chemistry used in biology. The principles of thermodynamics and kinetics are covered and there are chapters on applications. Although it is intended for biology students, some aspects of this book will appeal to a wider audience. The author, Gordon Hammes, is a recognized expert and an active researcher in the field of biochemical kinetics. The book is based on a course he has taught to first-year graduate students in the biological sciences at Duke University. These students have not studied physical chemistry as undergraduates, although they have probably had some calculus. Therefore the book is not overly mathematical and is presented from the perspective of a biochemist. The book contains six chapters, four appendices, and 153 pages. Three chapters are expected: Heat, Work and Energy; Entropy and Free Energy; and Chemical Kinetics. The remaining three chapters cover applications: Application of Thermodynamics; Applications of Kinetics; and Ligand Binding to Macromolecules. All six chapters have relevant biochemical examples throughout, a selection of six multipart biochemically relevant problems at the end, and a collection of references for those interested in pursuing an area in more depth. The mathematical level of the book is not much beyond what a sophisticated general chemistry book would include on these topics, with the exception of kinetics. There, a basic background in calculus and decent algebra skills are sufficient for the reader. The treatment of kinetics is thorough and appropriate, since kinetics is such a powerful technique for the elucidation of mechanisms in biological systems. The thermodynamics sections of the book include the most important biological applications of thermodynamics: the distinction between the standard state and physiologically relevant concentrations, the relationship between ∆G and ion gradients, coupled reactions, the dynamics of protein folding, and DNA interactions. The chapter on chemical kinetics goes beyond general chemistry and reinforces the kinetics covered in a major’s level organic chemistry course. Included in the application of kinetics chapter is a brief summary of Michaelis–Menten
kinetics and discussion of the classic enzyme example, chymotrypsin. It continues by illustrating how site-directed mutagenesis of a protein, tyrosine phosphatase, helped elucidate its mechanism of action. The chapter also discusses ribozymes, a family of nonprotein enzymes. The final example is the kinetics of DNA denaturation/annealing, which is relevant for modern molecular biologists, who utilize the melting and annealing properties of DNA and RNA in their experiments. The last application chapter covers the binding of ligands to macromolecules. Ligand binding has always been an important component of biological processes. However, with the explosion of research in the field of signal transduction (translation of an external signal from a ligand binding to cell surface receptor into an internal signal within the cell), the area of ligand binding is an area of intense investigation. Therefore its inclusion in the book is quite appropriate. A quick comparison of this book with other physical chemistry for the life sciences books reveals some pronounced differences. This book contains only 153 pages, whereas many biophysical chemistry books contain five to seven hundred pages. As I examined a few of the 500-page books, it was easy to become mired in the math rather than appreciating the principle. By eliminating some of the mathematical complexities, Hammes makes physical chemistry understandable and interesting for the audience. The book was enjoyable to read. This book strikes a nice balance between coverage of some important principles of physical chemistry and their biological applications, without demanding too much math background of the student. In my opinion it is at an appropriate level for the target audience. However, it might be difficult for physical chemists to teach from this book, since they may not the find the mathematical rigor they prefer. So why should you consider the book for your personal library? If you are not a biochemist, I would strongly recommend this book for inclusion in your personal library, particularly if you teach general chemistry. The biological examples are wonderful and easy to find and grasp, and could be easily integrated into a general chemistry course to lend more interest to those topics that students often find a mystery. If you are a biochemist, as I am, I recommend buying this book because of the problems at the end of the chapters and because the chapters on ligand binding and application of kinetics provide examples and data treatment not often found in biochemistry textbooks. In addition, I believe you would find the quick review of important physical chemistry principles enjoyable and easy to follow. Vicky Minderhout is in the Department of Chemistry, Seattle University, Seattle, WA 98122;
[email protected].
JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu • Vol. 78 No. 4 April 2001 • Journal of Chemical Education
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