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Dielectric and Electronic Properties of Biological Materials
Book
Reviews
457
A solid background in physical chemistry and protein chemistry is required in order to be able to follow the book, so it is decidedly intended for workers in the field. LAPXSJE’S test is concise and clear in exposition. yet treats thoroughly all the topics required for an understanding of the subject ; constant reference to other, parallel, texts is therefore unnecessary_ The ample graphs and tables make for easy reading. L.
R.
PETHKG.
ad EZectvonic Chichester, sew
Dieledvic
\Viley & Sons, pp_, 32. 15.00.
Proper-fies of Biological York, Brisbane. Toronto
SILVESTROSI
Uateriars, John (1979). SIV f376
The book is inspired and permeated by the belief that future major advances in biology and medicine may only come about from a deeper consideration of the submolecular aspects of various mechanisms and processes, whose phenomenological features have essentially so far been studied at molecular and cellular levels. Proceeding from this view, the book can be considered as an in\-itation to physicists, quantum chemists and electronic engineers to address their attention to some of the most relevant biological problems, in order to be able to identify the possible contributions physical concepts may make to the solution of these problems. _4n introductory outline of the main concepts of dielectric theory (in low pressure and dense gases, liquids, dilute solutions and solids) is followed by two chapters respectively de\-oted to the intrinsic dielectric properties of biopolymers and to the dielectric properties of solvated biomoIecules. with particular attention paid to conformational and polar side-chain effects, as well as to the Physical aspects relevant molecular geometry of polypeptides and proteins. to the role of water and to that of interfacial dielectric phenomena in the behaviour of various biological systems (proteins, nucleic acids and membranes) are treated throughout the central part -of the book. One chapter is devoted to the phenomenon of dielectrophoresis and its possible applications to the study of small dielectrophoretic phenomena a-qre biological organisms (unlike electrophoresis, concerned with the motion of electrically uncharged or neutral particles in nonuniform electric fields) _ Finally electronic properties of biomacromolecules are considered, with particular attention to their energy levels, ener,7 bands, semiconductivity. photoconduction. HALL efTect, charge-transfer, piezoelectric etYects and superconductivity. Although essentially addressed to scientists acti\-e in the fields of physics ana quantum chemistry (with the aim of promoting further studies in the interdisciplinary topics presented), the book may also be of considerable interest to biologists. desiring a more detailed insight into possibIe applications of physical and theoretical approaches to the elucidation of some biophysical problems studied by modern biological, and even medical, sciences_ F_ POD0
Reviews
457
A solid background in physical chemistry and protein chemistry is required in order to be able to follow the book, so it is decidedly intended for workers in the field. LAPXSJE’S test is concise and clear in exposition. yet treats thoroughly all the topics required for an understanding of the subject ; constant reference to other, parallel, texts is therefore unnecessary_ The ample graphs and tables make for easy reading. L.
R.
PETHKG.
ad EZectvonic Chichester, sew
Dieledvic
\Viley & Sons, pp_, 32. 15.00.
Proper-fies of Biological York, Brisbane. Toronto
SILVESTROSI
Uateriars, John (1979). SIV f376
The book is inspired and permeated by the belief that future major advances in biology and medicine may only come about from a deeper consideration of the submolecular aspects of various mechanisms and processes, whose phenomenological features have essentially so far been studied at molecular and cellular levels. Proceeding from this view, the book can be considered as an in\-itation to physicists, quantum chemists and electronic engineers to address their attention to some of the most relevant biological problems, in order to be able to identify the possible contributions physical concepts may make to the solution of these problems. _4n introductory outline of the main concepts of dielectric theory (in low pressure and dense gases, liquids, dilute solutions and solids) is followed by two chapters respectively de\-oted to the intrinsic dielectric properties of biopolymers and to the dielectric properties of solvated biomoIecules. with particular attention paid to conformational and polar side-chain effects, as well as to the Physical aspects relevant molecular geometry of polypeptides and proteins. to the role of water and to that of interfacial dielectric phenomena in the behaviour of various biological systems (proteins, nucleic acids and membranes) are treated throughout the central part -of the book. One chapter is devoted to the phenomenon of dielectrophoresis and its possible applications to the study of small dielectrophoretic phenomena a-qre biological organisms (unlike electrophoresis, concerned with the motion of electrically uncharged or neutral particles in nonuniform electric fields) _ Finally electronic properties of biomacromolecules are considered, with particular attention to their energy levels, ener,7 bands, semiconductivity. photoconduction. HALL efTect, charge-transfer, piezoelectric etYects and superconductivity. Although essentially addressed to scientists acti\-e in the fields of physics ana quantum chemistry (with the aim of promoting further studies in the interdisciplinary topics presented), the book may also be of considerable interest to biologists. desiring a more detailed insight into possibIe applications of physical and theoretical approaches to the elucidation of some biophysical problems studied by modern biological, and even medical, sciences_ F_ POD0