book reviews "differential centrifugation" is used but never defined; as a result the material in Figure 1 4 will be very difficult to interpret. In a brief section on metabolic regulation the term "allosterie" is introduced hut never defined. Transitions and interrelationships are often sketchy. For example, one 4-page section covers the pentose phosphate pathway, photosynthesis, and muscle contraction. Chapters on proteins and on enzymes are interrupted by a chapter on nucleic acids, and the chapter on protein synthesis precedes a discussion of the genetic code. In spite of the use of good schematic drawings which integrate several branches of metabolism, the author presents no coherent picture of how
ments. For example: only one photoreaction appears to be necessary in photosynthesis;a hemoglobin molecule appears to hind only one molecule of oxygen; Fig. 2-2, which shows relative sizes of ions and molecules. is not
tergents, is completely unclear. Several minor usages of the author may confuse students who continue studies in biochemistry: is defined as phosphoric acid (although it is used to represent a phosphoryl group in examples); FADH rather than FADH. is used: 22 rather than 20 is cited as
tilmc. J r w m l murr scrwus rwors ch~ruldhe corrected hrfore n fom her prmrmr: is made. On r,. .i i t is imnllrd that t,ertrrla h a w rnituEhondria. 0" p. 51 it is stated that "In contrast to this behavior [of competetive inhibitors], non-competetive inhibitors combine irreversibly with the enzyme molecule.. .". On p. 128 it is stated that one molecule of glucose liberates 686 kiloealaries of energy upon oxidation. And an p. 104 the equilibrium constant ratio is expressed as a sum of the concentrations of the products divided by the concentration of the reactant. In the ooinion of this reviewer. this book d w s nc,t make a uniqw rontrilrutim t u the arra uf intnrductwy I,iwhemistry and :snot n i ywd a* several other similar I ~ r u k ,already available Jim Hageman Laboratory of MolecuIar Biology Bethes&. Maryland 20014
Topics and Terms In Environmental Problems John R. Holum, Augshurg College. John Wiley & Sons, New Yark, 1977. Figs. & tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. x + 729 pb.
As stated by the author of this hook, "This reference book is for those who are developing concern and becoming actively involved in environmental matters. . . (who are) awash i n s sea of information often presented in terms only vaguely familiar."The A146 1 Journal of Chemical Education
material deals with important topics and terms in the area of environmental problems associated with energy, chemicals, and physical forces with primary focus on energy resources, air pollution, water pollution, wastes. and oesticides. A total of 239 main rntrirs are presented in an alphabetically nrmnged format with more than I200 cruss refrnnwr end u w r 1 IUO rrferrnces toothrr publications. The author attempts t o present the material such that "no knowledge of high school chemistry, physics, or biology is assumed." In general, the work is fairly successful in achieving this goal, but as might be expected, individuals who do not have such a hackgnlund wdl nt t ~ n m hmead~ffictdttime iully understanding the mntrr~nl.The tc,prrr nw ered and the discussion presented are upto-date as of the writing of this review. The author has, in general, been reasonably successful in presenting both sides of the more controversial issues in a factual and relatively unbiased manner. Some of the good features of this reference book are the many tables and graphs summarizing pertinent data, the cross references to other related topics within the book, and the selected references to other published material. The latter can act as a springboard to a detailed consideration of any given topic. A rather complete index is given which includes among other items a list of the main entries; however, no table of contents is included. as such. and a reader cannot determine thenreas included "at a glance.'' Fur the mwt part the tt~pir,arc covered uell, llut m the r r v ~ c w r r ' ivpinwn *,me r~rpicsshould have been omitted or stated in a more relevant manner. These include (1) terms in everyday use such as Dam, Earth, Flaod, Lake, and Water, and (2) special terms such as Aliphatic Compounds, Atom, and Molecule that are eiven to define freouentlv ,used scitnlili< terms. A glwrary ul such ttrrnr including u t l w u ~ ~ d r t i u cbut d ured terms uuuld br mure appmprlatc. Ala, mcludrd in the second group is a discussion on Systems of Measurement and Units. Although of some value, the 22 pages devoted to this area seems excessive and would be placed more appropriately as an Appendix and given in an ahbreviated form. In the reviewer's ooinion. the author has. in yenrml, iucrcedc~lan achwlng h ~ ssm e d A j r ~ t i v r ;m , u the Iwok c.sn srrvr a> r v:tlua d v refrrenw for rhoa? urw t o the field ur those desiring a ready reference to a variety of environmental problems. ~
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M. Lynn James h e University of Northern Colorado Greeley, 80639
Chemistry of Organic Fluorine Compounds 2nd (Revised) Edition-A Laboratory Manual with Comprehensive Literature Coverage
Milo.9 Hudlieky, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Halsted Press, New York, 1976. Figs. & tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. xiv 903 pp. $77.50.
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The first edition of this book was published in 1961. This second editim is essen-
