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Some principles of energetics in biochemical reactions
BOOK
REVIEWS
295
The breadth of scientific considerations which this report of a conference on neuroendocrinology, held in May, 1956, at Columbia University’s Arden House on the Hudson, represents together with the informal discussions impresses this reviewer with his personal inadequacy appropriately to gage the quality of each and every contribution to the book. There is always an infectious enthusiasm in work in a new biochemical field. But for clarification of concepts it is wise for the alert investigator to recall what may have been found years ago. Although this was admirably done by some contributors, the reviewer would like to point out that the influence of bioexchangers on the transportation and storage of physiologically active compounds are barely mentioned. No small part of the charm of the book is due to the variety of personal viewpoints in which the various topics are discussed. The bibliographic8 should facilitate deeper exploration into areas of special attraction. The binding is fair; the type, excellent,. TH. BERSIN, St. Gall, Switzerland
Physiologische Chemie. Ein Lehr-und Handbuch fuer Aerzte, Biologen und Chemiker Herausgegeben von B. FLASCHEXTR~~GER (deceased) und E. LEHNARTZ. Vol. 2. Der Stoffwechsel. Zweiter Teil, Bandteil (b). 81 figs. in the text,. xviii f 1428 pp. 1957. DM 21x. Volume 2, part II, Bandteil (a) was reviewed in Arch. Biochem. Niophys. 68, 239 (1957). The present part of this volume contains the continuation of the description of metabolism. There are discussed especially t,he physiological chemistry of certain life processes and organs, namely excreta and their organs, e.g., the kidneys and urine, the feces, the skin and its excretions, the glands of lactation and milk, the physiological chemistry of internal secretion, the vitamins, the chemistry and biochemistry of plant hormones, and finally immunochemistry. The name index of this volume consists of 267 pages and the subject index of 180 pages. F. F. SORI), Sew York, New York
Some Principles of Energetics in Biochemical Reactions. By IRVIXG PI. KLOTZ, I’rofessor of Chemistry, Northwestern Universit,y, Evanston, Illinois. Academic Press Inc., New York, N. Y., 1957. vii + 64 pp. Price $3.00. In this highly condensed presentation, Professor Klotz has described in simple terms the meaning of the basic concepts of thermodynamics and illustrated their applicability to biochemical processes. Biologist,s and biochemists, to whom this book is directed, will find themselves gently and skillfully led into an acquaintanceship with the concept of free energy and with its use as a criterion for the feasibility of physical and chemical transformations. Calling upon the concrete experiences of the reader, the author has clearly sought to present his subject in a manner which provides the maximum psychological efficacy. Under these circumstances, logical rigor plays a secondary role to pedagogy. But, for a subject
296
BOOK REVIEWS
which appears to require an unusually large “psychological energy of activation” for its assimilation by biologists, the catalytic benefits which may accrue from such an approach renders it worthy of trial. The orientation toward biochemical processes in this book has been particularly fruitful in three respects. In the first instance, attention has been given to the importance of the concentration terms in determining the free-energy changes for processes occurring in z)ivo, thereby emphasizing the limitations of the standard free energy as a basis for prediction of possible processes. Secondly, the thermodynamic significance of coupled reactions in biological systems has been emphasized and examples have been cited. Thirdly, and most important, is the author’s suggestion that the term “group-transfer potential” be used to describe that property of biochemically important compounds for which the misleading name “high-energy bond” is currently employed. Such a change would aid in removing the widespread misunderstanding which apparently exists with respect to the meaning of this concept. Perhaps the most useful function this volume will fill is to provide a stepping stone and stimulus for a more intensive study of thermodynamics. It is unfortunate that the relatively high price of the book will probably limit the number of individuals who may be served in this way. FRED KARUSH, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
La Chimie Nucleaire et ses Applications. By M. HA~SSINSKY, Director of Research, C. N. R. S. Institut du Radium, Paris, France. Masson et Cie, Paris, 1957. vi + 652 pp. Price 5606 fr. The rapid progress of nuclear science on the Continent has created a need for an authoritative literature on the subject in the French language. Dr. Haissinsky’s book, one of a series on chemical and biological effects of radiation, should prove of great value not only as a text, but also as a comprehensive reference work. The subject matter may be divided into two parts. Fundamental concepts of nuclear physics necessary to an understanding of nuclear chemistry are treated in the first six chapters and in Chap. XI. After an absorbing account of the history of nuclear science, the author discusses the fundamental particles and nuclear structure in a concise, but understandable way. While the discussion of beta decay seems brief, the sections on gamma and alpha decay are sufficiently developed. The chapters on nuclear reactions, fission, and nuclear reactors, and stopping of radiation in matter are quite detailed and up to date. A discussion of nuclear instrumentation, so necessary to modern nuclear chemistry, is the most notable omission in the first part of this work. The remainder of the book is devoted to nuclear and radiochemistry. The remarkably comprehensive coverage of this field begins with discussions of the natural radioelements, the transuranium elements, isotope separations, and geochemical and astrophysical applications, and proceeds to an extensive series of topics on radiation chemistry, including gas-phase reactions, radiolysis of water and aqueous solutions, radiolysis of organic compounds, and some remarks on biological effects of radiation, solid-state effects, production of fluorescence and
REVIEWS
295
The breadth of scientific considerations which this report of a conference on neuroendocrinology, held in May, 1956, at Columbia University’s Arden House on the Hudson, represents together with the informal discussions impresses this reviewer with his personal inadequacy appropriately to gage the quality of each and every contribution to the book. There is always an infectious enthusiasm in work in a new biochemical field. But for clarification of concepts it is wise for the alert investigator to recall what may have been found years ago. Although this was admirably done by some contributors, the reviewer would like to point out that the influence of bioexchangers on the transportation and storage of physiologically active compounds are barely mentioned. No small part of the charm of the book is due to the variety of personal viewpoints in which the various topics are discussed. The bibliographic8 should facilitate deeper exploration into areas of special attraction. The binding is fair; the type, excellent,. TH. BERSIN, St. Gall, Switzerland
Physiologische Chemie. Ein Lehr-und Handbuch fuer Aerzte, Biologen und Chemiker Herausgegeben von B. FLASCHEXTR~~GER (deceased) und E. LEHNARTZ. Vol. 2. Der Stoffwechsel. Zweiter Teil, Bandteil (b). 81 figs. in the text,. xviii f 1428 pp. 1957. DM 21x. Volume 2, part II, Bandteil (a) was reviewed in Arch. Biochem. Niophys. 68, 239 (1957). The present part of this volume contains the continuation of the description of metabolism. There are discussed especially t,he physiological chemistry of certain life processes and organs, namely excreta and their organs, e.g., the kidneys and urine, the feces, the skin and its excretions, the glands of lactation and milk, the physiological chemistry of internal secretion, the vitamins, the chemistry and biochemistry of plant hormones, and finally immunochemistry. The name index of this volume consists of 267 pages and the subject index of 180 pages. F. F. SORI), Sew York, New York
Some Principles of Energetics in Biochemical Reactions. By IRVIXG PI. KLOTZ, I’rofessor of Chemistry, Northwestern Universit,y, Evanston, Illinois. Academic Press Inc., New York, N. Y., 1957. vii + 64 pp. Price $3.00. In this highly condensed presentation, Professor Klotz has described in simple terms the meaning of the basic concepts of thermodynamics and illustrated their applicability to biochemical processes. Biologist,s and biochemists, to whom this book is directed, will find themselves gently and skillfully led into an acquaintanceship with the concept of free energy and with its use as a criterion for the feasibility of physical and chemical transformations. Calling upon the concrete experiences of the reader, the author has clearly sought to present his subject in a manner which provides the maximum psychological efficacy. Under these circumstances, logical rigor plays a secondary role to pedagogy. But, for a subject
296
BOOK REVIEWS
which appears to require an unusually large “psychological energy of activation” for its assimilation by biologists, the catalytic benefits which may accrue from such an approach renders it worthy of trial. The orientation toward biochemical processes in this book has been particularly fruitful in three respects. In the first instance, attention has been given to the importance of the concentration terms in determining the free-energy changes for processes occurring in z)ivo, thereby emphasizing the limitations of the standard free energy as a basis for prediction of possible processes. Secondly, the thermodynamic significance of coupled reactions in biological systems has been emphasized and examples have been cited. Thirdly, and most important, is the author’s suggestion that the term “group-transfer potential” be used to describe that property of biochemically important compounds for which the misleading name “high-energy bond” is currently employed. Such a change would aid in removing the widespread misunderstanding which apparently exists with respect to the meaning of this concept. Perhaps the most useful function this volume will fill is to provide a stepping stone and stimulus for a more intensive study of thermodynamics. It is unfortunate that the relatively high price of the book will probably limit the number of individuals who may be served in this way. FRED KARUSH, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
La Chimie Nucleaire et ses Applications. By M. HA~SSINSKY, Director of Research, C. N. R. S. Institut du Radium, Paris, France. Masson et Cie, Paris, 1957. vi + 652 pp. Price 5606 fr. The rapid progress of nuclear science on the Continent has created a need for an authoritative literature on the subject in the French language. Dr. Haissinsky’s book, one of a series on chemical and biological effects of radiation, should prove of great value not only as a text, but also as a comprehensive reference work. The subject matter may be divided into two parts. Fundamental concepts of nuclear physics necessary to an understanding of nuclear chemistry are treated in the first six chapters and in Chap. XI. After an absorbing account of the history of nuclear science, the author discusses the fundamental particles and nuclear structure in a concise, but understandable way. While the discussion of beta decay seems brief, the sections on gamma and alpha decay are sufficiently developed. The chapters on nuclear reactions, fission, and nuclear reactors, and stopping of radiation in matter are quite detailed and up to date. A discussion of nuclear instrumentation, so necessary to modern nuclear chemistry, is the most notable omission in the first part of this work. The remainder of the book is devoted to nuclear and radiochemistry. The remarkably comprehensive coverage of this field begins with discussions of the natural radioelements, the transuranium elements, isotope separations, and geochemical and astrophysical applications, and proceeds to an extensive series of topics on radiation chemistry, including gas-phase reactions, radiolysis of water and aqueous solutions, radiolysis of organic compounds, and some remarks on biological effects of radiation, solid-state effects, production of fluorescence and