Chemistry and the living organism (fifth edition)

49 It is possible to question in a similar fashion almost all of the items selected for this supplement. That is, regardless of potential interest of a finding, the very technical presentations of the supplement are dissimilar to the presentations of the original text. In the textbook, PCR is summarized in about 340 words; of the myriad of papers extending and applying PCR technology, one was selected for the supplement based on the observation that certain single-stranded D N A sequences specifically bind to thrombin. Certainly to many biochemists this is an interesting observation and the practical implications are also real. I must ask, however, whether these are the criteria to be used in selecting material for an introduction to biochemistry? Although the authors could certainly defend their selections of interesting findings from the current literature, I doubt that any consensus could be reached even among other authors of textbooks about which are the fundamental findings that belong in a general description of the field. A growing criticism of our students is that overload of information has made them weak on fundamental understanding, which perhaps should lead us to set more modest goals for introductory courses and their textbooks, to concentrate more on the well established fundamental knowledge upon which modern research is based, to find ways to make this knowledge useful, and to leave the current literature for advanced courses and individual study. Alan H Mehler

Chemistry and the Living Organism (Fifth Edition) B y M o l l y M B l o o m f i e l d , p p 758, J o h n W i l e y , N e w Y o r k . 1992. £21.50 ISBN 0-471-51292-3 This is a junior college level text that goes all the way from basic chemical principles, through organic chemistry, to elementary biochemistry. The emphasis is strongly towards the relationship of these topics with humans. Each chapter starts off with a 'human' case history which will surely interest students. (Photosynthesis on the other hand only gets about threequarters of a page). The aim is to make the chemistry interesting and attractive, rather than hard, and I think the author succeeds. There are going to be many students in the position of wanting to do some chemistry but being frightened off by the perceived difficulty. The book would presumably also appeal to college, pre-med students. The interest and attraction are maintained through frequent 'Perspective Boxes' (eg on the Turin Shroud). I am less happy about the treatment and organisation of the biochemistry section. The first half of the book deals with chemistry - - atomic structure, gas laws, radioactivity, kinetics - - and this is followed by an elementary but sufficiently detailed account of organic chemistry. This latter story is told from the life scientist's point of view. All too often chemistry is taught to biochemists or potential biochemists by chemists who think that the kinetics of the nitration of aromatic compounds is vital for a good understanding of chemistry. It may be, but unfortunately, they only succeed in putting the students off. The 'Compounds of Life' starts at p 501 and deals with carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (but not nucleic acids) from the chemical point of view. The treatment is satisfactory but I thought that more could have been done to illuminate the importance of macromolecules and membranes. This section is followed by a chapter on enzymes, vitamins and hormones (grouped together) and the biological emphasis is more apparent here. Finally, nucleic acids and protein synthesis are dealt with in the last chapter (p 668). Thus the approach is rather 'traditional' and the biochemistry somewhat abbreviated. Presumably this reflects the needs of the market to which the book is aimed. BIOCHEMICAL

EDUCATION

21(1) 1993

In addition there are appendices (eg on using significant figures), and an extensive glossary. Each chapter is followed by reasonably imaginative problems ('review' type, 'study' type and 'integrative' type) and there are in-text examples. Each chapter also has learning objectives ("By the time you have finished this chapter you should be able to: write, define, c a l c u l a t e . . , etc.) Also available are a Student Study Guide, a Laboratory Manual, and a Teacher's Manual, but I have not seen these. Overall, an attractive production, quite interesting and easy to read. Worth a look at if the students you have to deal with are at this borderline level between high school and university. E J Wood

Biosynthesis and the Integration of Cell Metabolism ' B i o t e c h n o l o g y by O p e n L e a r n i n g S e r i e s ' p p 257. B u t t e r w o r t h - H e i n c m a n n , O x f o r d . 1992. £19.95 ISBN 0-7506-11506-0 This book is a component member of the Biotechnology by Open Learning Series which is aimed at students at universities, polytechnics and colleges, as well as industrial organisations and professional bodies. This text is one of three which are devoted to increasing our understanding of intermediary metabolism (a phrase used here to describe the chemical reactions within cells which produce the basic building blocks necessary for the manufacture of cellular components). The first chapter introduces the reader to the design of an open learning text and also refreshes the reader's knowledge of the prerequisites for biosynthesis to occur which are described in greater detail in the previous two tests. The second chapter describes the nutritional requirements of cells and the mechanism for uptake of these nutrients into the cells. The next four chapters concentrate on the assimilation of nitrogen and sulphur and the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleotides, lipids and carbohydrates. The final two chapters outline the integration, regulation and control of metabolic pathways. The text is kept simple and is easy to understand. The left hand margin of each page contains key phrases and words summarising the text. There is also space for personal notes which the use of an open learning text is encouraged to make. Each chapter ends with a summary and a list of objectives which the reader should now be able to complete having read the appropriate chapter. One may wonder why the objectives did not come at the beginning. However, the text sadly lacks the benefits of the use of colour and different font types which are used to enhance most modern textbooks. For example, no efforts are made to distinguish enzymes from substrates or reaction products, or to highlight important points. The diagrams are also very sparse and no references are given should the reader wish to pursue any of the topics further. The open learning series is designed so that the reader "interacts" with the text. The text is interspersed with activities and self-assessment questions which give the reader an idea of the knowledge he or she should have gained by reading the relevant chapter. Although these attempt to focus the reader on the text, some students may find these questions somewhat superfluous and irritating at times. For example, "this chapter has introduced a lot of new c o m p o u n d s . . , many are referred to by initials, it is obviously important to remember t h e s e . . , and there is a special prize if you can get the last one right". Overall this book gives a clear and concise understanding of the principles involved in the biosynthesis of cellular building blocks and might act as a useful revision aid. However, there are better textbooks available for a similar price which make good